Bulls forward Tobe Awaka was cleared on Friday's injury report, up from day-to-day. That makes him available for Friday night's game at Boston as Chicago tries to end a three-game losing streak.
What happened
Tobe Awaka was listed as cleared on the injury report at 6:09 PM ET on Friday, Oct 30. His previous status was day-to-day. The report gave no new detail and no comment with the change. It ends a week of ankle and leg listings. Awaka, 22, was day-to-day on Tuesday, Oct 27. He was moved to out on Wednesday, Oct 28, then back to day-to-day on Thursday, Oct 29. Earlier this month he was day-to-day with a knee issue on Oct 22 and was cleared on Oct 23.
What it means for the Bulls
Chicago plays at the Celtics on Friday, Oct 30 at 7:30 PM ET. The Bulls are 1-4, 12th in the conference, and have lost three straight. Awaka has played two games, averaging 3.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 13.1 minutes. Chicago is 0-2 with him and 1-2 without him. With Awaka out, Jalen Smith averaged 23.5 minutes and 13.4 points, and Leonard Miller 20.3 minutes and 9.8 points. Caleb Wilson led the group at 34.7 minutes and 20.8 points. Matas Buzelis played 26.4 minutes. Dailyn Swain (back) and Nic Claxton (hamstring) remain out.
What to watch
The first thing to watch is how big a role Awaka gets at Boston, which has not been announced. His minutes against Smith and Miller in the frontcourt will show how much the Bulls trust the ankle. He has moved on and off the report four times since Oct 22, so the next injury report matters. Claxton's and Swain's statuses also affect how much size Chicago has.
Is Tobe Awaka playing at Celtics on Friday?
He is cleared on the injury report and available for Friday's 7:30 PM ET game at Boston. His minutes have not been announced.
When will Tobe Awaka be back?
He was cleared on Friday, Oct 30, after being listed with an ankle and leg issue since Oct 27. That makes him available for the game at Boston that night.