NBA Player News

Head coach Billy Donovan said Friday that Yabusele (shoulder/elbow) will not play in Chicago's final two regular-season games, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Yabusele sustained a left shoulder sprain and a left elbow sprain in Thursday's win over the Wizards and will not return this season. The big man will finish the 2025-26 campaign with averages of 5.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15.0 minutes per game across 67 regular-season appearances (19 starts) between Chicago and New York.

Richards (elbow) will not play in Chicago's final two games of the regular season, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Richards will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign as he continues to recover from a right elbow sprain. Head coach Billy Donovan confirmed Friday that Richards, Josh Giddey (hamstring), Guerschon Yabusele (shoulder/elbow), Jalen Smith (calf) and Anfernee Simons (wrist) will be held out for the final two games against the Magic and Mavericks. Richards finishes the season having missed the final 10 games. With Yabusele also ruled out, the Bulls will likely rely on Patrick Williams (thumb) and Lachlan Olbrich (foot) to handle the bulk of the minutes at center.

Giddey (hamstring) will not play in Chicago's final two games of the regular season, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Giddey will be sidelined for the remainder of the season as he continues to deal with a lingering hamstring strain. Head coach Billy Donovan confirmed Friday that Giddey -- along with Guerschon Yabusele, Nick Richards, Jalen Smith, and Anfernee Simons -- will be held out for the Bulls' final two contests against the Magic and Mavericks. Giddey's second season in Chicago ends with him appearing in only one of the team's final seven games. In his absence, Tre Jones and Collin Sexton (finger) will continue to handle primary backcourt duties and should remain high-usage options for the final weekend of the regular season.

Castle (foot) is out for Friday's game versus Dallas, per NBA reporter Matthew Tynan.

Castle is sidelined for a second consecutive contest due to a foot injury. Dylan Harper, who logged a season-high 33 minutes during his third start of the season Wednesday versus Portland, should ride with the first unit once again Friday.

Strus will start Friday's game against the Hawks.

With Donovan Mitchell (ankle) out, Strus will enter the starting five. As a starter this season (three games), he has averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 27.3 minutes per contest.

Tyson (toe) is available for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Tyson missed the last 10 games because of a toe injury. However, not only is he available Friday versus the Hawks, he will re-enter the starting lineup. In 40 starts this season, Tyson has averaged 14.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.8 steals across 29.3 minutes of work.

Buzelis (illness) said he will play in Friday's game against the Magic, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Buzelis is set to shed his questionable tag and return from a three-game absence. The second-year forward has averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks across 30.6 minutes per contest over his last five appearances.

Sheppard (hip) is out for Friday's game versus Philadelphia, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Sheppard is running his absence up to four consecutive games due to a hip injury. Quenton Jackson and Ethan Thompson should see more playmaking opportunities in the backcourt against the 76ers on Friday.

Thompson (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Spurs.

Thompson was a late addition to the injury report and will miss Dallas' penultimate game of the season. With the veteran wing sidelined, John Poulakidas, Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson are candidates to see increased minutes. Thompson's final chance to suit up this season will come Sunday against the Bulls.

Hauser (back) has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Pelicans, per Jay King of The Athletic.

As expected, Hauser will push through his probable tag and suit up for the second leg of a back-to-back set despite lingering low-back spasms. With Jayson Tatum getting the night off to rest, Hauser could be in line for a slight uptick in usage and shot attempts.