Chicago Bulls forward-center Jalen Smith was listed day-to-day with a left finger issue on the Sunday injury report. The Bulls play at the 76ers on Monday night, and the report shows an expected return date of Nov. 2.
What happened
Smith was added to the injury report as day-to-day on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4:44 p.m. ET. The report lists the issue as finger, arm, left. It gave Nov. 2 as his expected return date. This is the second time in four days he has appeared on the report with the same designation. He was first listed day-to-day with the finger issue on Thursday, Oct. 29, and was cleared on Friday, Oct. 30. The report's comment recapped his Friday game: Smith ended the 125-111 loss to the Celtics with five points (2-8 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 27 minutes.
What it means for the Bulls
Chicago is at the 76ers on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bulls are 1-5, the 13th seed, and have lost four in a row. Smith has played in all six games, averaging 24.1 minutes, 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists. The Bulls have not played a game without him this season, so there is no with-and-without split. If he sits, Leonard Miller (18.7 minutes, 8.5 points a game) and Noa Essengue (13.9 minutes, 3.6 points) are the rotation names with room to take minutes. No replacement has been announced. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury.
What to watch
The next update should come on the injury report ahead of Monday's tip at the 76ers. The report lists Nov. 2 as his expected return, the same day as that game. Whether that means he plays has not been announced. Dailyn Swain (back) and Tobe Awaka (left ankle) are also day-to-day, and Claxton remains out, so the Bulls' availability is thin up front. Smith's status will decide how much the frontcourt has to cover.
Is Jalen Smith playing at the 76ers on Monday?
He is day-to-day with a left finger issue. The injury report lists his expected return as Nov. 2, the day of the game. The Bulls have not announced whether he will play.
When will Jalen Smith be back?
The injury report gives an expected return of Nov. 2. He has not been ruled out, and no longer timeline has been announced.