The Chicago Bulls visit the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET with both teams struggling in the standings. Chicago enters at 19-21 after snapping a one-game skid with a 128-126 win over the Utah Jazz, while Brooklyn sits at 11-27, having dropped five straight games.
The Bulls will be without Josh Giddey, who remains sidelined with a left hamstring strain, and Zach Collins, out due to a right toe sprain. Noa Essengue is also unavailable after left shoulder surgery. Kevin Huerter is probable with a right hip flexor tightness, while Julian Phillips is questionable with a right wrist sprain. Several two-way players, including Yuki Kawamura, Emanuel Miller, and Lachlan Olbrich, are also out.
Brooklyn faces its own injury challenges. Haywood Highsmith is out recovering from right knee surgery, while Ziaire Williams continues reconditioning before returning to competition. E.J. Liddell and Ben Saraf are unavailable due to two-way G League assignments.
Chicago’s offensive load will likely fall on Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, and Giddey’s absence will increase responsibilities for Tre Jones and Coby White. Ayo Dosunmu has been steady with 14.3 points per game and could see an expanded role in the backcourt.
The Nets will lean on Michael Porter Jr., who leads the team with 25.7 points per game, and Nic Claxton, contributing 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. Noah Clowney and Cam Thomas provide secondary scoring, but depth is limited due to multiple absences.
The first meeting between the two teams this season saw Brooklyn defeat Chicago 113-103 on December 3.
