The Chicago Bulls visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, December 12, at 7:00 PM ET at Spectrum Center, with both teams facing major injury challenges. Chicago is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, holding a 9-14 record, while Charlotte comes off a single loss in its last outing and sits at 7-17 overall.
The Bulls will be without Ayo Dosunmu (right thumb sprain) and Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery), while Zach Collins (left scaphoid fracture) is probable. Tre Jones (left ankle), Kevin Huerter (left adductor), Isaac Okoro (left lumbar radiculopathy), Jalen Smith (left hamstring), and Coby White (right calf) are all listed as probable, adding strain to Chicago’s rotation.
Charlotte is missing LaMelo Ball (left ankle bone bruise), Tre Mann (right knee bone bruise), Collin Sexton (left quadriceps strain), Pat Connaughton (right calf strain), and Grant Williams (right knee surgery). Moussa Diabate is questionable (right knee soreness), with Antonio Reeves and Liam McNeeley unavailable due to G League assignments.
Chicago will lean on Josh Giddey, who averages 20.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.9 assists, along with Nikola Vucevic (15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds) and Coby White (22.1 points) to carry the offensive load. Matas Buzelis and Tre Jones will likely see increased roles to compensate for multiple absences.
The Hornets will rely on Miles Bridges (21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds), Kon Knueppel (18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds), and Brandon Miller (16.4 points) to lead scoring, while Ryan Kalkbrenner (9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds) and Diabate provide interior support. Depth will be tested with Ball, Mann, and Williams sidelined.
This matchup marks the second meeting of the season between these teams, with Charlotte winning the first game 123-116 at home on November 28. Both squads have struggled on the road, with the Bulls at 3-9 and the Hornets at 2-10 away from home.
Recent trends favor Charlotte in the short term, as they are coming off a convincing 111-86 road win against the Raptors before a 106-115 loss to the Nuggets, while Chicago lost 105-120 to Indiana and 91-123 to Golden State at home.
