Billy Donovan gives encouraging update on Zach Collins injury amid center shortage

The Chicago Bulls central reinforcements are desperately needed after merchant Nikola Vucevic within the deadline. They recently received positive news Zach Collinstheir greatest remaining big man.

Collins has been sidelined since December 27 with a sprained right big toe, but has made significant progress in his recovery over the past week.

“Zach was actually running with altered gravity. He was just feeling the tightness, but no pain, which was encouraging,” Billy Donovan said Monday. “I think it was probably half his body weight. So I think he’ll see how it goes. He didn’t necessarily do it a lot. The foot doctor wanted to see if he could get out of the boot and start doing it. So that was a positive sign.”

After Vucevic was traded to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simmons, the Bulls were left without a starting-caliber center due to the absence of Collins and Jalen Smith. Smith was ruled out after straining his calf during Thursday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Zach Collins is making an encouraging step in his recovery from injury amid a months-long layoff

Chicago began trading for non-center Gershon Yabusele, who struggled during the first half of the season with the New York Knicks, over the last two games. Nick Richards, also acquired at the deadline, filled the central minutes off the bench.

Chicago was torched by opposing centers during losses to the Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets. Nikola Jokić scored 22 points, 14 rebounds and 17 assists on 7-of-12 shooting during Denver’s 136-120 win over the Bulls on Saturday. Nick Claxton scored a game-high 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting with 10 rebounds and four assists in Brooklyn’s win over Chicago on Monday.

Collins’ return would provide some stability to the Bulls’ center rotation. The 28-year-old is average 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists on .578/.429/.700 shooting in 18.4 minutes per game in 10 appearances earlier this season.

Smith’s return would also bolster the Bulls’ frontcourt. The 25-year-old has been listed as questionable in Chicago’s last two status reports, indicating he should be in line to return after the All-Star break. Smith is averaging 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists on .488/.379/.718 shooting in 20.2 minutes per game in 43 appearances this season.

The Bulls are one game behind the Charlotte Hornets for the Eastern Conference finals.