Nwaba Out 2–4 Weeks With Ankle Injury; Portis Set to Return from Suspension
Where one Bull’s season has temporarily stopped, another’s is about to begin.
David Nwaba, one of the surprises for the Bulls so far (6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds over 21 minutes a game), left Saturday’s 96–90 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans with a sprained right ankle. It’s severe enough to keep him out for the next two to four weeks, according to Fred Hoiberg. Paul Zipser likely will take Nwaba’s place in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s road game against the Toronto Raptors.
While the backcourt has taken a bit of a hit, the frontcourt is getting some help. Tuesday means the end of Bobby Portis’ eight-game suspension for punching Nikola Mirotic in practice. With the emergence of Lauri Markkanen, Portis will be on the bench to start games. He’s still expected to be right behind Markkanen on the depth chart.
Nwaba’s absence puts a damper on a team looking for any needle it can find in the haystack. This is the time to figure out if players like him can serve a role in the future or simply be sent on their way after the season. Hopefully, this won’t slow down any momentum he’s built. He’s scored 15 and 16 points respectively in the Bulls’ two wins, so he’s shown his value when things are going good for this team.
As for Portis, he finally gets to suit up in meaningful games for the first time this season, hopefully having learned his lesson. If Mirotic still wants the Bulls to choose between the two of them, Portis has more of an opportunity to prove himself worthy of sticky around. Meanwhile, Mirotic still is waiting to be cleared for basketball activities, so each passing day works less in his favor. Of course, the Bulls won’t have to make a decision if the two power forwards let bygones be bygones and Mirotic’s trade demands come off the table.
These are the types of roster crossroads that give the team and fans pause to consider what has been accomplished so far. A 2–6 record and last in the Central was not unexpected. Now, we have to question how the dynamic changes with one less guard and one more forward in the rotation. While it might matter a whole lot in what’s destined to be a lost season, the experience is valuable for the players and coaches alike, so it might not be so inconsequential when a winner comes back to Chicago.
Nwaba is trying to build a future, and Portis wants to protect his present. Recent events give the former a bit of a longer leash than the latter. Ultimately, what matters is if either one can benefit the Bulls long-term. Most of the season remains, so fortunately, it’s not like any decisions have to be made right now.
Don’t you just love all the injury and suspension storylines that come with the NBA season, particularly when they’re happening with your team a bunch so early?
