Smith (finger) is available for Sunday's game versus Philadelphia.
The finger injury isn't new, so barring a setback, Smith was expected to suit up all along. The 26-year-old has averaged 11.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 22.5 minutes per contest in eight regular-season appearances in 2026-27. While Smith has had one of the best seasons of his career, the return of Nic Claxton (hamstring) will likely result in a decline in production moving ahead, especially once the latter is cleared for a full workload.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Upgraded to probable for Sunday
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Smith (finger) is probable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
Smith left Wednesday's 135-105 loss to the Knicks after just seven minutes of play due to a left finger sprain and was initially deemed questionable for Sunday. His upgraded status is a good sign for Smith, who's been the starting center with Nic Claxton (hamstring) yet to play this season.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Won't return Wednesday
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Smith (hand) won't return to Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Smith has been starting for Nic Claxton (hamstring), who hasn't played this season. However, the Bulls will be down another big, at least for the remainder of Wednesday's contest. As a result, Zach Collins should handle most of the minutes in the middle the rest of the way.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Headed to locker room
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Smith went back to the locker room during Wednesday's game against the Knicks after suffering an apparent finger injury, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.
Smith appeared to hurt his finger contesting a shot from OG Anuonoby, and for now, he should be considered questionable to return. If he needs to miss time, Zach Collins, Leonard Miller and Noa Essengue would help pick up the slack.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Will play Monday
Rotowire
Smith (finger) is active for Monday's game against Philadelphia.
As expected, Smith will suit up versus the 76ers. He's averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes across six outings so far this season. With Nic Claxton (hamstring) still sidelined, Smith is likely to continue starting for the Bulls.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Grabs 12 boards in loss
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Smith ended Friday's 125-111 loss to the Celtics with five points (2-8 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 27 minutes.
Smith was the only player who finished Friday's game with double-digit rebounds, although it was the second time in three games that he failed to score in double digits. The seventh-year center is averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks over 24.2 minutes per game to open the regular season. He'll continue to operate in a starting role for as long as Nic Claxton (hamstring) is out of action.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Cleared to play Friday
Rotowire
Smith (finger) is available for Friday's game against the Celtics.
Smith popped up on the injury report due to a left finger sprain, though it won't keep him off the floor versus Boston. With Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, Smith has started in all five of the Bulls' regular-season games in 2026-27, averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 23.4 minutes per outing.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Listed as questionable
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Smith is questionable for Friday's game against Boston with a left finger sprain.
This is a new injury for Chicago's starting center, but he's considered day-to-day. If Smith is held out against Boston, the Bulls could lean more on Zach Collins.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Productive stretch as starter
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Smith racked up 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt), 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 133-127 loss to the Knicks.
Smith continues to hold down the fort at center while Nicolas Claxton tends to a hamstring injury. Over his first five appearances, Smith has averaged 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes per game.
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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.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Hits three triples Wednesday
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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.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Starting against Phoenix
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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: Shut down for season
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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: Won't start Monday
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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: Listed as questionable
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Smith (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against Cleveland.
Smith is managing a nagging right calf strain, putting his status in jeopardy for the second leg of this back-to-back set. Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele would be in position to share the center minutes if Smith is unable to play Thursday.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Empty performance Monday
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Smith provided 13 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and five rebounds in 27 minutes during Monday's 132-107 victory over the Grizzlies.
Smith delivered an underwhelming performance, continuing his recent struggles. Outside of a double-double during a win over Golden State, Smith has offered very little in terms of meaningful fantasy production. In four games since returning from injury, he has averaged just 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers, leaving him well outside the top-250 players during that time. With potentially just one more game this week, those in their fantasy playoffs should be fine with moving on.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Not listed on injury report
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Smith (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Smith skipped Friday's loss to the Clippers, with that game falling as the second in a back-to-back set, but he'll be back in action with his usual workload Monday evening. With Smith back in the mix, Nick Richards will likely return to the second unit, where his minutes will dip.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Good to go Thursday
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Smith (calf) has been cleared to play Thursday against the Lakers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith was tagged as questionable due to a calf issue, but he'll be ready to run the floor Thursday. However, coach Billy Donovan said in his pre-game presser that Smith would likely be held out for the second half of Chicago's back-to-back Friday against the Clippers, per Johnson.
