Bulls Expect Coby White and Josh Giddey to Return as Team Tries to Halt Four-Game Slide

The Chicago Bulls enter a challenging stretch of their schedule searching for answers after dropping four straight games. The skid marks a sharp contrast to their strong start, raising questions about whether the team’s early-season success was sustainable. Key injuries have tested Chicago’s depth, and the lack of offensive rhythm has been evident during the recent slide.

Help, however, appears to be on the way. Head coach Billy Donovan announced Saturday that guards Coby White and Josh Giddey are nearing a return to the lineup, a development that could significantly stabilize the Bulls’ rotation. Both players participated in full-contact practice and responded well, suggesting that the team may soon regain two core playmakers.

White has been sidelined since the preseason with a calf injury, while Giddey has missed time due to an ankle sprain suffered on Nov. 8 against the Cleveland Cavaliers — an injury that occurred when he was shaken by a crossover move before landing awkwardly. Their absences have forced Chicago to rely heavily on inexperienced contributors.

As the Bulls prepare for a busy week featuring five games in six days, the expected return of White and Giddey adds optimism at a moment when the team needs it most.

1. Key Guards Nearing a Return

Donovan expressed confidence in the progress of both guards, noting that he “fully expects those guys to play this week.” The update marks one of the most encouraging injury assessments the Bulls have delivered all season. For White, the calf issue has been particularly frustrating, preventing him from building on a breakout 2023–24 campaign. His return will likely come with minute restrictions, but his shooting and ability to create off the dribble should immediately aid Chicago’s offense. Giddey’s injury was less severe but still disruptive, coming at a time when he had been one of Chicago’s most consistent performers. His size, passing, and rebounding have been central to the Bulls’ pace-and-space principles under Donovan. With both guards trending toward availability, Chicago gains two primary ball-handlers capable of lifting the offense from its recent stagnation.

2. Recent Performances Highlight Their Value

Chicago’s recent struggles have underscored how much the team relies on Giddey and White to generate offense. Without them, the Bulls’ scoring bursts have been harder to sustain, and the spacing around the perimeter has suffered. Giddey, enjoying the best statistical start of his career, is averaging 21.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. His near triple-double production has given Chicago a dynamic playmaker who can dictate tempo and involve multiple teammates. White, meanwhile, emerged last season as one of the Bulls’ most reliable guards, averaging 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. His growth as a scorer and improved decision-making positioned him as a foundational piece for Chicago’s offense. Though both players still face defensive learning curves, their combined offensive skill sets give the Bulls a dual-threat backcourt capable of swinging momentum in tight situations.

3. Bulls Face Grueling Stretch as Reinforcements Arrive

Chicago enters a demanding stretch beginning with Sunday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz. From there, the Bulls will travel to Denver on Monday before heading to Portland for a Wednesday night game. The week concludes with consecutive home games against the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards on Friday and Saturday. The rapid succession of contests increases the importance of depth, particularly as Chicago attempts to stop its losing streak and regain early-season confidence. Donovan and his staff will need to manage workloads carefully while reintegrating White and Giddey. The coaching staff anticipates that both guards will fit smoothly back into the offensive system, which emphasizes quick decision-making and pushing the pace — areas where White and Giddey excel. Their return should allow other players to settle into more natural roles. As the Bulls attempt to climb back above .500, the availability of their backcourt duo may determine how effectively they weather the most taxing portion of their schedule.