Here’s the latest update on the Chicago Bulls as of October 14, ahead of their preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which could mark Lonzo Ball’s return to the NBA since January 14, 2022. Could Julian Phillips be a game-changer? In the Bulls’ preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on October 12, Julian Phillips logged a game-high 27 minutes and 28 seconds, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
However, the most noteworthy stat for Phillips? He went 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. According to Julia Poe from the Chicago Tribune, the 20-year-old has worked with shooting coach Peter Patton during the offseason and may have made significant improvements. Phillips leads the team in minutes this preseason and ranks third in scoring with an average of 15.0 points per game. While these stats come with the usual preseason caveats, he’s hitting 54.5 percent of his threes on 5.5 attempts per game. If this second-year player can carry a solid three-point shot into the regular season, combined with his athleticism and nearly 7-foot wingspan, he could earn substantial developmental minutes on a guard-heavy roster as a potential 3-and-D wing. A breakout year for Phillips would greatly enhance Chicago’s prospects for the future.
Latest Bulls Injury Updates Ayo Dosunmu, a key player in head coach Billy Donovan’s rotation this season, injured his shoulder during the game against the Grizzlies and had to sit out for the rest of the match as a precaution. He’s listed as day-to-day. Similarly, Patrick Williams sustained a wrist injury but underwent post-game X-rays that returned negative. Coby White sat out the Memphis game due to a groin injury, but it seems to be minor, and he should be ready for the regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. Jalen Smith missed the game with knee soreness, though the Bulls are taking a cautious approach during the preseason. On a more serious note, Lonzo Ball experienced knee soreness during the pregame shootaround. He’s still anticipated to participate in two of the last three exhibition games, possibly starting tonight against Milwaukee.
Key Part of Bulls’ Rebuild Strategy Unveiled Against Grizzlies Chicago aims to increase their tempo and focus on transition play this season with Josh Giddey in the mix and a roster tilted toward offense. However, their lack of interior size and rebounding could limit these opportunities. If the Bulls can generate steals and deflections as they did against Memphis, it might compensate for their size disadvantage. In the loss to the Grizzlies, Chicago recorded 13 steals, forced 18 turnovers, and achieved 30 deflections. This performance resulted in almost a quarter of their points coming from turnovers and 19 percent from fast-break situations. If the Bulls struggle to quickly transition off rebounds, maintaining that level of defensive effort will help them capitalize on forced turnovers, which could prove to be an even more advantageous option.
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