Anfernee

Simons

Injured during Saturday’s loss to the Pistons, Simons was initially diagnosed with a left wrist contusion. Further imaging revealed a small fracture, with Bulls coach Billy Donovan saying the injury was an aggravation of one suffered earlier this season. The hope is that Simons will be able to play in 10-14 days. His absence from the rotation should ensure Rob Dillingham gets the minutes he should within the Bulls’ rebuild.

Simons missed Sunday’s loss to the Knicks after injuring his wrist on Saturday against the Pistons. The Bulls are now calling the 26-year-old shooting guard’s injury a left wrist contusion, rather than a sprain. Rob Dillingham saw some more minutes with Simons out Sunday and should continue to have a role for the rest of the season.

After playing 22 minutes or more in his first three appearances as a Bull, Dillingham totaled 18 minutes in the two games played before Sunday. Anfernee Simons (wrist) being out freed up minutes, and Dillingham benefited. The final stat line wasn’t great, but the ability to put up numbers in multiple categories was a step in the right direction. Given where the Bulls are, Dillingham should play plenty for the rest of the season. He isn’t a must-add yet, but he is worth watching during Chicago’s three-game Week 18.

Simons exited early from Saturday’s game and will remain sidelined for the second leg of the back-to-back. Collin Sexton and Rob Dillingham should take on extra minutes in his absence, though only Sexton will have a chance to play enough to be considered as a streamer.

Simons injured his left wrist during the first half of Saturday’s game and was ruled out early in the third quarter. He played 13 minutes, finishing with four points (2-of-6 FGs) and two rebounds. If Simons has to miss time, that should free up minutes for Rob Dillingham, but the former lottery pick is not worth the risk in redraft leagues.

The Bulls are going with a bigger lineup as they face the team with the NBA’s best record. Yabusele will start after playing 17 minutes off the bench on Thursday, with Anfernee Simons moving to the bench.

Simons started and played 31 minutes even with Josh Giddey back from a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old shooting guard had 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field and four three-pointers. If you need volume scoring, Simons is your guy for the rest of the season.

Giddey, who missed Chicago’s final eight games prior to the All-Star break, is now expected to return to the lineup after initially being listed as questionable. They brought him off the bench in his return following his most recent extended absence, which could happen again in this game. That could allow Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons to remain in the starting unit.

Jones was initially listed as questionable, but he is now expected to make his return from an 11-game absence in the Bulls’ first game after the All-Star break. The backcourt looks quite different than it did when Jones last played, with Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton and Rob Dillingham now in the mix. Jones may not be as productive as he was earlier in the season.

Jones has now missed Chicago’s last 11 games with a strained left hamstring. With Josh Giddey (hamstring) also out, the Bulls have relied on a starting backcourt of Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, with Collin Sexton coming off the bench. Expect more of the same against the Celtics.