Bulls forward Tobe Awaka went from day-to-day to out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks because of an ankle injury. Chicago is 1-3 and plays New York already without Patrick Williams and Nic Claxton.
What happened
Tobe Awaka is out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks with an ankle injury. The injury report moved him to out at 6:48 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28. He had been listed as day-to-day with the ankle on Tuesday, Oct. 27. This is his third time on the report in eight days. He was day-to-day on Oct. 21 and was cleared that day. He was listed again on Oct. 22 with a left knee issue and was cleared on Oct. 23. Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reported that Awaka is out against the Knicks.
What it means for the Bulls
Chicago hosts the Knicks at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Bulls are 1-3, sit 11th and have lost two straight. Awaka, 22, has played two games. He has averaged 3.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 13.1 minutes. Chicago is 0-2 with him and 1-1 without him. The frontcourt is thin, because Patrick Williams (right groin) and Nic Claxton (hamstring) are also out. In games without Awaka, Jalen Smith has averaged 22.0 minutes and 12.5 points. Leonard Miller has averaged 21.2 minutes and 9.8 points, and Matas Buzelis 24.9 minutes and 14.0 points. Caleb Wilson leads that group at 34.0 minutes and 21.0 points.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Awaka's status changes. The report lists an expected return of Friday, Oct. 30. No other timeline has been announced. Williams and Claxton are also out. Updates on all three will decide how the Bulls split their frontcourt minutes after the Knicks game. Smith, Miller and Buzelis are the forwards who have played the most when Awaka was out.
Is Tobe Awaka playing against the Knicks on Wednesday, Oct. 28?
No. The injury report lists him as out for Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET game against the Knicks with an ankle injury.
When will Tobe Awaka be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Friday, Oct. 30. No other timeline has been announced.