Bulls forward Tobe Awaka was cleared Monday evening, a day after he was listed day-to-day. He is in line to play at Philadelphia tonight as Chicago looks to end a four-game losing streak.
What happened
The injury report cleared Awaka at 5:53 p.m. ET on Monday. He had been listed as day-to-day on Sunday with a left ankle and leg issue. The report gave no detail and no comment with the change, and no return date applies now that he is cleared. This is the latest turn in a stretch of status changes. He was cleared Oct. 23, went back to day-to-day Oct. 27, and was ruled out Oct. 28 with an ankle and leg issue. He returned to day-to-day on Oct. 29 and was cleared again Oct. 30. He was listed as day-to-day again on Sunday.
What it means for the Bulls
Chicago plays at the 76ers on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bulls are 1-5, 13th in the standings, and have lost four straight. Awaka has played three games and is averaging 12.8 minutes, 2.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist. The team is 0-3 with him and 1-2 without him. In the games he missed, the minutes went mostly to Caleb Wilson (34.1), Norman Powell (29.8), Josh Giddey (26.3), Matas Buzelis (25.4) and Jalen Smith (24.2). Smith is day-to-day with a left finger and arm issue. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring and leg issue.
What to watch
Watch how many minutes Awaka gets in Philadelphia after the repeated changes to his status. The next injury report will show whether the ankle and leg issue comes back. No minutes limit has been announced. Smith's status also bears on the frontcourt rotation, and Claxton remains out. The Bulls will look for their second win of the season after Monday's game.
Is Tobe Awaka playing at the 76ers?
He was cleared on the injury report at 5:53 p.m. ET Monday, ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET game at Philadelphia. No restriction has been announced.
When will Tobe Awaka be back?
He is cleared, so no return date applies. He was day-to-day on Sunday with a left ankle and leg issue, and no new absence has been announced.