Bulls forward-center Jalen Smith is day-to-day with a left finger injury after leaving Wednesday's game at the Knicks. No return date beyond the report's Nov. 4 listing has been announced.
What happened
Smith went back to the locker room during Wednesday's game against the Knicks after an apparent finger injury, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports. The official injury report, posted at 8:36 PM ET on Nov. 4, lists him as Day-To-Day with a left finger and arm issue. He had been cleared from the Day-To-Day list earlier Wednesday. The report has carried him in and out of that status since Oct. 29, with finger and arm designations. Its expected return date is Nov. 4, the day of the game. No further timeline has been announced.
What it means for the Bulls
The Bulls played Wednesday at the Knicks, and Smith's status for their next game after that is not announced. Chicago is 1-6, 13th in the standings, and has lost five straight. Smith has played in all seven games, averaging 24.7 minutes, 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The Bulls are 1-6 with him and have not yet played without him. Nic Claxton is out with a left hamstring and leg issue, which leaves the frontcourt thin if Smith misses time. Who would absorb his minutes has not been announced. Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell, Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis lead the rotation in minutes.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Smith's status changes from Day-To-Day. No return date has been announced beyond the Nov. 4 date on the current report. Watch whether he practices and whether the Bulls list him for their next game. Claxton's status matters too, since he is out. Chicago is looking to end a five-game losing streak, and the frontcourt rotation depends on both players.
Is Jalen Smith playing the next Bulls game?
Not announced. He is Day-To-Day with a left finger and arm issue after leaving Wednesday's game at the Knicks. His status for the next game will show on the next injury report.
When will Jalen Smith be back?
No return date has been announced. The injury report lists Nov. 4 as his expected return, the date of the game in which he was hurt. He is Day-To-Day.