The Chicago Bulls added Tobe Awaka to the injury report as questionable ahead of Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks, giving the team another frontcourt concern before a matchup with the reigning Champs in the East.
Tiago Splitter said after Tuesday's practice that Awaka sustained an ankle injury. In the hours leading up to tip-off, the Bulls officially listed the two-way contract player as questionable with an ankle sprain.
What it means for the Bulls
The timing matters because the Bulls have struggled heavily to begin the year, and the blowout nature of their first four games has already pushed Splitter to go deeper into his bench. That has made every available frontcourt body more important, especially against a Knicks team that has been strong on the glass.
The Knicks are averaging 20.8 second-chance points a night, which adds another layer to the Bulls' depth problem if Awaka is unavailable. Even a minor injury can matter when a team is already using its bench and two-way options early in the season.
Patrick Williams also appears on the report
Patrick Williams was upgraded to questionable after dealing with an adductor strain, giving Chicago at least one more potentially available rotation piece. Still, the Bulls are clearly managing multiple injury situations as they try to keep pace with a New York team that presents a physical challenge inside.
For Chicago, the final injury report will shape how much frontcourt help Splitter can lean on Wednesday night. If Awaka is unable to go, the Bulls will have to make do with even less margin against a Knicks group that has already been doing damage on second chances.
