The Bulls listed Jordan Hawkins as out for Wednesday's game at Toronto because of an illness, per Tuesday's injury report. The guard had not appeared on a prior report this season, and his expected return is Oct. 23.
What happened
Jordan Hawkins was listed as out on the Bulls injury report issued Tuesday at 12:40 PM ET. The listed reason is an illness. Hawkins (illness) is out for Wednesday's game against the Raptors, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. The 24-year-old guard had no previous status this season, so this is his first appearance on the report. An expected return date of Oct. 23 was announced. Hawkins is one of two Bulls players out with an illness, with Dailyn Swain also listed as out for the same reason.
What it means for the Bulls
The Bulls open the 2026-27 season at Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 PM ET, and they will do it without Hawkins. Last season he averaged 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 13.6 minutes across 51 games, so the loss is a bench piece rather than a starter. The guard minutes in Chicago's rotation run through Josh Giddey, Coby White, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and Tre Jones, each of whom has logged between 27 and 32 minutes a night in games without Hawkins. There is no record with or without him yet because the regular season has not started. Nic Claxton is also out with a hamstring injury, and Isaac Okoro, Tobe Awaka and Zach Collins are day-to-day.
What to watch
The next injury report before the Raptors game will confirm whether Hawkins remains out, which is expected. The announced return date is Friday, Oct. 23, so the first game after the opener is the one to track. Also worth following is whether the illness spreads further through the roster, since Swain is already out with the same designation and Okoro's day-to-day status is undisclosed.
Is Jordan Hawkins playing at the Raptors on Wednesday?
No. Hawkins is listed as out for Wednesday's game at Toronto with an illness, per the Bulls injury report and K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
When will Jordan Hawkins be back?
His expected return is Friday, Oct. 23. The illness is not expected to keep him out beyond the season opener, but his availability will be confirmed on the next injury report.