Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Sniffs triple-double in victory
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Vucevic ended with 24 points (9-14 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 14 rebounds and eight assists in 32 minutes during Thursday's 128-116 victory over the Kings.
Vucevic stuffed the stat sheet en route to his 39th outing with a double-double or better across 62 regular-season appearances. The big man posted game-high marks in rebounds and assists, and he also finished as the Bulls' third-leading scorer behind Coby White (35 points) and Kevin Huerter (25 points). Vucevic has made six appearances (five starts) since returning from a seven-game absence due to a calf injury, during which he has averaged 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 three-pointers across 28.2 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Posts 24 points in loss
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Vucevic provided 24 points (10-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and three blocks across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 127-121 loss to the Suns.
Vucevic has managed double-digit rebounds in only two of his last five games since returning from a seven-game absence, but he was able to bounce back as a scorer after tepid results over the same period. Vucevic is a regular double-double threat, but his calf injury may still be a lingering problem.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Limited output Thursday
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Vucevic produced seven points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes during Thursday's 116-110 win over the Nets.
Vucevic was making his first start since Feb. 22, but he didn't deliver the stat line many fantasy managers would've expected out of him. The veteran struggled to make an impact on both ends of the court and posted a relatively pedestrian line across his 23 minutes of action. Vucevic should remain in the starting lineup going forward, though, so managers who still trust him can be confident that his numbers might improve in the coming games.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Back with first unit
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Vucevic is starting Thursday's game against the Nets.
Vucevic will return to his usual starting role Thursday after coming off the bench in his first game back from a calf injury Monday, but he'll be held between 28-to-30 minutes, per his head coach. Zach Collins is moving back to the bench with Vucevic running with the starters.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Still under minutes restriction
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Head coach Billy Donovan said Vucevic has been cleared to play 28-to-30 minutes against the Nets on Thursday, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com reports.
Vucevic returned Monday from a seven-game absence due to a calf injury, and he finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and one assist over 24 minutes in a 121-103 win over the Pacers. He came off the bench in that contest, and it's not yet known whether he'll rejoin the Bulls' starting five for Thursday's bout.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Won't start Monday
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Vucevic will come off the bench in Monday's game against Indiana.
Vucevic is set to return from a seven-game absence streak due to a calf injury, though he'll operate under a minutes restriction of 26-to-28 minutes off the bench, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. The veteran big man has averaged 15.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 30.8 minutes per game in his last five outings.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Will eventually rejoin starters
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Head coach Billy Donovan said after Monday's 121-103 win over the Pacers that Vucevic (calf) will "eventually" return to the starting lineup, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. He posted 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes off the bench.
Vucevic came off the bench during his return from a seven-game absence streak due to a calf injury, recording his 37th outing with a double-double or better over 57 regular-season appearances. The star big man will likely continue to operate under a minutes restriction as the club ramps him back up to playing form slowly, meaning Zach Collins should continue to receive the starting nod.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Good to go Monday
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Vucevic (calf) said he will play Monday against the Pacers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Vucevic, who has missed the past seven games for Chicago, will shake off his questionable tag and return to action Monday, though he'll be limited to 26-to-28 minutes of playing time, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. With this news, the fantasy appeal of Zach Collins and Jalen Smith takes a hit.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Chance to return Monday
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Vucevic (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Vucevic has missed seven straight games due to a right calf strain but may return to action Monday. If cleared, the big man may face some limitations given his extended absence. Jalen Smith and Zach Collins have been playing increased roles in Vucevic's absence.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Not playing Saturday
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Vucevic (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Miami.
Vucevic's absence due to a right calf strain will extend to seven games Saturday, and his next chance to play will be Monday against Indiana. Jalen Smith and Zach Collins will continue to serve as the Bulls' main big men due to the absence of Vucevic.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Likely won't play against Miami
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Vucevic (calf) has been listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Heat.
Vucevic will likely miss a seventh consecutive game for the Bulls while nursing a right calf strain. Chicago will probably look to Jalen Smith and Zach Collins to pick up the slack in the frontcourt if the veteran big man is ruled out in Miami.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Won't play Thursday
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Vucevic (calf) will not play Thursday against the Magic.
Vucevic, previously listed as doubtful, will sit out his sixth straight game. Vucevic said he was hopeful to return during this two-game road trip, so a return against the Heat on Saturday could be on the table.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Doubtful for Thursday
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Vucevic (calf) has been listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Magic.
Vucevic is trending toward missing a sixth straight game for the Bulls while nursing a strained left calf. With the veteran big man probably missing this game in Orlando, Chicago will likely continue to lean on Zach Collins and Jalen Smith to shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Eyeing return for Florida trip
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Vucevic (calf) said that he's hopeful to return to action for the Bulls during the team's two-game road trip in Florida that begins Thursday in Orlando, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
A right calf strain kept Vucevic sidelined for a fourth straight game in Sunday's 127-112 loss to the Pacers, and the veteran center is seemingly already ruling himself out for the Bulls' next game Tuesday versus the Cavaliers in Chicago. However, if Vucevic is able to resume ramping up his activity during the upcoming week without any complications, he could be back in action for the first game of the road trip in Orlando and/or during Saturday's game in Miami. Zach Collins and Jalen Smith will continue to hold down the fort at center for Chicago until Vucevic is ready to play again.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Ruled out vs. Indiana
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Vucevic (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Vucevic will miss a fourth straight game Sunday for the Bulls, as he continues to deal with a right calf strain. Jalen Smith and Zach Collins will likely see more time on the floor due to the absence of the veteran big man.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Not playing Friday
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Vucevic (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Toronto, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com reports.
Vucevic is set to miss a third straight game due to a right calf strain. He's been listed as doubtful for the Bulls' last two games, and it's unclear whether he's progressed enough in his recovery to have a better chance at returning Sunday against the Pacers. The good news for Chicago is that Jalen Smith has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will return Friday. Smith and Zach Collins should see plenty of playing time at the five due to Vucevic's absence.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Unlikely to play Friday
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Vucevic is doubtful for Friday's game against the Raptors with a right calf strain.
Vucevic is unlikely to return from a two-game absence Friday. If the star big man is ultimately ruled out as expected, his next chance to return would come Sunday against the Pacers. Jalen Smith remains in the concussion protocol, so Zach Collins could stay in Chicago's starting lineup with a clear pathway to the center minutes.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Won't play Wednesday
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Vucevic (calf) will not play Wednesday against the Clippers.
Vucevic had been listed as doubtful coming into the day, so his downgrade comes as little surprise. With Vucevic out for a second straight contest and with Jalen Smith still recovering from a concussion, Zach Collins should be in line for another turn as the Bulls' starting center.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Not expected to play Wednesday
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Vucevic (calf) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Clippers.
After missing Monday's win over the 76ers, Vucevic is not expected to return from right calf tightness Wednesday. With Jalen Smith out with a concussion against Los Angeles, Zach Collins (shin) appears to be set to make another spot start at center after joining the first unit Monday.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Not playing Monday
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Vucevic (calf) is out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Vucevic was initially listed as probable for Monday's contest, but the big man will end up missing the contest altogether due to tightness in his right calf. This means Zach Collins will likely start at center, while Vucevic's next chance to return will come against the Clippers on Wednesday.
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