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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Double-double with three blocks
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Smith recorded 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 13 rebounds, one assist and three steals over 24 minutes during Friday's 132-125 victory over the Bucks.
Smith recorded a 14-and-13 double-double, adding three blocks, despite playing just 24 minutes. Zach Collins failed to see the floor, with Chicago opting to play Leonard Miller and, to a lesser extent, Noah Essengue, as small-ball center options. Nic Claxton remains without a specific timetable for his return from a hamstring injury, meaning Smith should be rostered in all formats moving forward.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Flirts with double-double
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Smith ended Wednesday's 135-92 loss to Toronto with 15 points (5-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes.
Smith's 19 minutes were the fewest among the Bulls' starters, and he didn't play for the entire fourth quarter due to the team's large deficit. Still, he was the only starter who connected on at least 50 percent of his field-goal attempts, and his four offensive rebounds were tied with Allen Graves for most in the game. Smith established himself as a consistent starter toward the second half of the 2025-26 season, and he should maintain that role for the next couple of weeks while Nic Claxton rehabs from a hamstring injury.
Smith finished with 15 points (4-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block across 21 minutes in Wednesday's 125-104 preseason win over Milwaukee.
Smith started at center and did most of his damage from the perimeter, connecting on three of his five attempts from deep. He also grabbed five defensive rebounds and committed no turnovers, putting together a productive performance as he competes for frontcourt minutes. His ability to stretch the floor gives Chicago a different offensive look at center, and it helps his case that the Bulls are dealing with several key injuries in the frontcourt.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Available and starting Sunday
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Smith (foot) is available and starting in Sunday's preseason game versus Denver.
Smith has been battling a foot injury but will be on the floor for the preseason meeting with the Nuggets after missing Friday's 104-100 loss to Memphis. The 2020 No. 10 overall pick started in 21 regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 24.6 minutes per contest in those appearances.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Ruled out Friday
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Smith (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith is dealing with left foot soreness, and his next chance to suit up will come in Sunday's exhibition against Denver. With Nic Claxton (hamstring) and Zach Collins (toe) also out, Tobe Awaka and Leonard Miller figure to see increased burn Friday.
Smith will start in Wednesday's preseason game against Phoenix, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith will start for the Bulls to begin the preseason. That trend could extend into the regular season, considering Nic Claxton (hamstring) may not be available. Smith started in 21 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 24.6 minutes per contest in those appearances.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Clean bill of health
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Smith said Thursday he is 100 percent healthy after a lingering calf issue ended last season early, per Will Gottlieb of CHGO Bulls.
Smith got a chance to start for the Bulls at times in 2025-26 as they searched for Nikola Vucevic's replacement, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 24.6 minutes per tilt across 21 regular-season games as a starter last season. Now that Claxton is in the picture, Smith appears primed to revert to the No. 2 center role in 2026-27, which could cap his upside from a fantasy perspective. Availability has also been a concern for Smith throughout his career, as he's never reached the 70-game mark in any of his first six seasons and couldn't finish last year with the aforementioned calf problem.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Reduced role on tap for 2026-27
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Smith (calf) is in line to open 2026-27 as the backup center behind Nic Claxton (finger).
Smith got a chance to start for the Bulls at times in 2025-26 as they searched for Nikola Vucevic's replacement, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 24.6 minutes per tilt across 21 regular-season games as a starter last season. Now that Claxton is in the picture, Smith appears primed to revert to the No. 2 center role in 2026-27, which could cap his upside from a fantasy perspective. Availability has also been a concern for Smith throughout his career, as he's never reached the 70-game mark in any of his first six seasons.
The Bulls announced Thursday that Smith will miss the remainder of the season after aggravating a right calf injury in Wednesday's 157-137 loss to the 76ers.
Smith has been plagued by injuries to his right calf throughout the past two months. Since initially straining the calf Jan. 29, Smith has appeared in just 12 of the Bulls' last 24 games while recovering from setbacks related to the injury or for maintenance purposes during back-to-back sets. With the Bulls sitting at 29-43 on the season, the team won't look to rush Smith back to the court over the final two-plus weeks following his latest aggravation. Smith will finish his sixth NBA season with averages of 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals in 20.7 minutes per game over his 53 appearances. His absence should open up more minutes in the frontcourt for Nick Richards (elbow), Guerschon Yabusele, Patrick Williams and Leonard Miller.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Aggravates calf injury
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Smith won't return to Wednesday's game versus the 76ers due to a right calf injury, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. He finished with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and one block over six minutes.
Smith's right calf has presented persistent concerns for him over the first two months. After he first strained his right calf during a Jan. 29 game against the 76ers, Smith missed the Bulls' subsequent two games after that, then missed the Bulls' final three contests before the All-Star break when he experienced a setback. Smith strained the calf again in late February and missed five straight contests, and he appears to have suffered another setback Wednesday. As a result of the latest recurrence of the injury, Smith seems likely to miss time once again, which should pave the way for Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele to handle more minutes in the frontcourt.
Smith (calf) is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Rockets.
Smith will play despite previously being listed as questionable due to right calf injury management, but head coach Billy Donovan said that the big man will be limited to 22-to-24 minutes. Because of Smith's minute restriction, the Bulls will keep Nick Richards in the starting lineup at center. In 32 games as a reserve this season, Smith is averaging 9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Will play Monday
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Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said that Smith (calf) is available for Monday's game against the Rockets and will be limited to 22-to-24 minutes, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Smith will shed his questionable tag and return from a one-game absence due to right calf injury management. However, the big man will be limited, which should allow Nick Richards to pick up a few extra minutes. Over his last four appearances, Smith has averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest.
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