Bulls' Jalen Smith: Drops 16 points in Tuesday's start
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Smith registered 16 points (5-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 131-115 loss to the Bucks.
After missing the prior two games due to a calf issue, Smith rejoined the lineup and scored in double digits in his 11th straight appearance (eight starts). Over that 11-game stretch, the 25-year-old center is averaging 13.3 points, 8.4 boards, 2.3 threes, 1.3 assists and 1.1 combined steals and blocks in 27.0 minutes. With Nikola Vucevic shipped out to Boston on Tuesday, Smith should be locked into a starting spot for the remainder of the season.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Cleared to play
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Smith (calf) is available for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith's availability was in question due to cramping in his right calf, but he's been given the green light to take the court Tuesday. He's expected to be held around the 20-minute mark, but that could change depending on how he feels at halftime, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. Smith is averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his previous five appearances.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Iffy for Tuesday
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Smith is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks due to right calf cramping.
Smith is in danger of missing a third consecutive contest with the issue. If the big man remains out, Lachlan Olbrich should step into the backup center role behind Nikola Vucevic, but the former wouldn't carry much fantasy appeal in that spot.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Ruled out Saturday vs. Miami
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Smith (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat.
Smith injured his right calf during the Bulls' 116-113 loss to Miami on Thursday, which will prevent him from playing in Saturday's contest. Nikola Vucevic (rest) is listed as doubtful for the contest, so the Bulls will have to lean on Lachlan Olbrich and Patrick Williams in Smith's absence. Smith's next chance to play is Sunday's rematch with the Heat.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Questionable for Saturday
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Smith (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game in Miami.
Nikola Vucevic (rest) is slated to sit out Saturday's game, so Smith will likely be starting if he's cleared. Check back for another update on Smith closer to Saturday's tip.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Available to play
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Smith (calf) is available for Thursday's game versus the Heat.
Smith is dealing with some minor soreness in his right calf, but he'll power through it and get out there for Thursday's match. Smith has been playing well in January, posting averages of 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 triples and 1.0 blocks per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Probable for Thursday
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Smith is probable for Thursday's game against Miami with right calf soreness.
For now, the expectation is that Smith will push through this injury for the second leg of this back-to-back set. During Wednesday's game against the Pacers, Smith fared well with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 28 minutes.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Not starting Wednesday
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Smith is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
The Pacers are rolling out a smaller lineup Wednesday, which is being countered by a small-ball group by the Bulls that has Josh Giddey back in the first unit. Over his last six appearances off the bench, Smith has averaged 10.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Sinks three triples in loss
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Smith recorded 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 0-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal over 37 minutes during Monday's 129-118 loss to the Lakers.
Smith delivered an efficient performance in this one, finishing as one of six Bulls players to score in double figures. The big man was productive from beyond the arc yet again, and he has knocked down multiple triples in seven straight games, marking the longest such streak of his career. The sixth-year pro has started five straight games, averaging 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 three-pointers across 29.2 minutes per game over that stretch.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Double-doubles in start
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Smith produced 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals across 31 minutes during Sunday's 124-102 victory over the Nets.
Smith moved into the starting lineup for the fifth time this campaign, recording his seventh double-double in the process. He's in the midst of a very strong campaign, posting averages of 9.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.0 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Starting Sunday
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Smith is in the Bulls' starting lineup against the Nets on Sunday.
Smith will make his fifth start of the season Sunday, replacing Tre Jones in the Bulls' starting lineup. Smith has recorded a double-double in each of his last two outings, having averaged 13.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.0 threes and 2.0 blocks over 26.0 minutes per game over that span.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Double-double with four blocks
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Smith closed with 14 points (4-11 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal over 35 minutes during Friday's 112-109 loss to the Nets.
Smith logged a season-high 35 minutes, recording his second straight double-double, while also adding five combined steals-plus-blocks. Despite coming off the bench to start the game, Smith started the second half, helping fuel a comeback that ultimately fell just short. Although his efficiency continues to be an issue, Smith is certainly doing enough to be rostered in standard leagues, flirting with top-100 value in five games over the past two weeks.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Double-double off bench Wednesday
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Smith finished with 12 points (3-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 128-126 win over Utah.
The 25-year-old center delivered his fifth double-double of the season, three of which have come in his last six games (four starts). Over nine contests since Christmas, Smith is averaging 10.8 points, 9.0 boards, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 threes and 1.1 assists in 23.0 minutes, and his fantasy value could get a significant boost if Nikola Vucevic is traded, especially if Zach Collins (toe) remains sidelined as well.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Starting Tuesday
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Smith is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Rockets.
Coby White (rest) is out, so the Bulls will go big and start Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, Smith and Nikola Vucevic. In three starts this season, Smith has registered averages of 11.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 triples, 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Grabs nine boards in return
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Smith finished with seven points (3-11 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes during Saturday's 125-107 win over the Mavericks.
Smith was back in action, having missed the previous two games due to a concussion. Prior to his absence, Smith had been starting alongside Nikola Vucevic, a role that saw him putting up standard-league numbers. Although he came off the bench Saturday, it remains to be seen whether that will stick or whether he will move back into the starting lineup. Managers could do worse than grabbing him as a speculative pickup.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Bumped up to probable
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Smith has been upgraded to probable for Saturday's game against Dallas.
Smith's midday upgrade from questionable to probable is an encouraging sign for his availability Saturday. The big man has been in concussion protocol and has missed back-to-back games. Smith is averaging 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 17.7 minutes per game this season.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Iffy for Saturday
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Smith is questionable for Saturday's game against the Mavericks due to a concussion.
Smith is attempting to pass each step of the league's concussion protocol in time to be eligible for action Saturday. If he cannot do so, Lachlan Olbrich would handle backup center duties behind Nikola Vucevic, as Zach Collins (toe) still isn't ready to play.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Another absence coming
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Smith (concussion) is out for Thursday's game against the Heat.
Smith's next chance to pass the league's concussion protocol comes Saturday against Dallas. With Smith set to miss a third straight game, Lachlan Olbrich should continue to fill the void as the backup center behind Nikola Vucevic.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Possible concussion
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Smith is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Saturday's game against Charlotte.
Smith was helped to the locker room early in the third quarter after a head-to-head collision with LaMelo Ball. Patrick Williams and Julian Phillips will step into larger roles for as long as Smith is being evaluated by medical staff.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Posts another double-double
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Smith had 11 points (4-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 27 minutes during Friday's 121-114 win over the Magic.
Smith has seen a sharp uptick in playing time in back-to-back starts, and he's paid it off by tallying a pair of double-doubles. He's been a solid contributor across the board over this brief hot stretch, though he's capable of doing even more damage if he can find his touch from beyond the arc. Smith has hit on just two of 11 attempts from downtown in his last two games.
