Billy Donovan reveals hope for Chicago amid injury woes

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan spoke about the team’s injury problems before taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Even like most of the list was hobbled at some point, donovan remains optimistic o prospects for the health of his team and whole again.

“I hope at some point we can heal,” he said. “But we’ve just got to move forward. The games are going to keep coming and we’ve got to work with what we’ve got and try to get these guys to compete and keep playing together. And try to grow with the group we’ve got.”

Head coach Billy Donovan remains “hopeful” the Bulls will have a full roster at some point given the string of injuries that have plagued the roster throughout the season@ClutchPoints⁩ pic.twitter.com/Tb0vuGksMB

— Zachary Draves (@DravesZachari) January 10, 2026

Earlier, Donovan confirmed that Jalen Smith and Kevin Huerter were available for play. Smith is listed as “suspicious” due to a recent concussion. Also, Huerter was listed as well as tightness in the lower back. meanwhile, Josh Giddei remains out with a hamstring injuryas well as Zach Collins with a toe injury.

In addition, Coby White has recently been and fell with a lower leg injury. Something that he rejected it at the beginning of the year. Also, a newbie Noah Esenge is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

In total, at least eight Bulls players were on the injured list during the season. Chicago has an overall record of 17-20.

Billy Donovan provided an update on the Bulls’ key injured players.

Before the Dallas game, Donovan provided updates on the statuses of Josh Giddy, Zach Collins and Noah Esenge. He said Giddy is doing some exercises on the field and is working closely with the medical team to assess how he is feeling.

Also, Donovan made it clear that he has no timetable for Giddy’s return. “There was no downtime, everything was good,” he said. “I don’t have a timetable on that; he probably won’t get exercise, physical practice, so to speak.”

As for Essengue, Donovan said he was in the gym. Basically, focus more on your lower body and limit your upper body exercises.

Then, Collins got different expert opinions about the status of his toe. Donovan said he expects the latest update this Wednesday. Also, I’m waiting to hear from the medical team on what the best course of action is. At this point, Donovan said that Collins is not expected to undergo a surgical procedure.