JALEN SMITH NEWS

Flirts with double-double off bench Smith scored 13 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), grabbed seven boards, dished three assists and recorded one block across 17 minutes of play in Wednesday's 129-113 loss to the Pac...

Impact Squaring off against his former team, Smith made the best of his limited time on the court backing up Nikola Vucevic via season-best efficiency across the board. He also came just three boards short of a double-double, which would've marked his second of the year. However, it'll be tough to contribute meaningful fantasy output on a regular basis while averaging just 15.4 minutes a game. Nonetheless, he'll look to build on Wednesday's performance Friday against the Wizards.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Upgraded to available Wednesday Smith (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Smith was initially listed as probable and will fight off an ankle sprain to suit up for the Bulls on Wednesday. The veteran big man should play his usual role as the backup center behind Nikola Vucevic, so the former's fantasy appeal is highly limited at the moment.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Likely available Wednesday Smith is probable for Wednesday's game against the Wizards due to a left ankle sprain.

Impact The veteran center continues to manage a lingering ankle sprain but missed only one of Chicago's 12 games in December. During that stretch, Smith averaged 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go against Hornets Smith (ankle) is available to play Monday against Charlotte.

Impact Smith didn't play in the Bulls' 116-111 win over the Bucks on Saturday due to a left ankle sprain, but the fifth-year center will be able to play Monday. For the month of December, Smith has averaged 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks over 17.0 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Monday Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Hornets.

Impact Smith is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive game due to left ankle soreness. If the big man is sidelined, Torrey Craig and Julian Phillips will likely see a bump in playing time.

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Impact Smith is nursing a sore left ankle, and he will miss his fourth game of the regular season Saturday as a result. His next opportunity to play will be Monday against the Hornets. Torrey Craig should see an uptick in playing time due to Smith's absence.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to questionable Smith (ankle) is now questionable for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Smith was initially labeled probable for Saturday's contest, but he's been downgraded to questionable. If Smith can't play, Torrey Craig would likely see more action while Nikola Vucevic could be tasked with even more minutes.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to suit up for Saturday Smith (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Smith will likely suit up while he deals with left ankle soreness. Over his last five games, the big man has averaged 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds across 15.4 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Instant offense off bench Monday Smith ended Monday's 112-91 loss to Milwaukee with 14 points (6-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and two assists over 17 minutes.

Impact Smith provided some instant offense off the bench for the Bulls, supplying an efficient 14 points to go with seven boards Monday. Across his last seven contests, Smith is averaging a fairly efficient 8.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 18.6 minutes. The 24-year-old big man has proven to be a strong producer on a per-minute basis over the first five years of his career, so he'd be an appealing add in fantasy leagues if starting center Nikola Vucevic ever were to miss time with an injury.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Retreating to bench Monday Smith is not in Chicago's starting lineup against Toronto on Monday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Smith made his first start of the 2024-25 regular season Friday against the Hornets due to Nikola Vucevic being sidelined with an illness. Smith made the most of his spot start by playing a season-high 29 minutes and finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks, but he'll return to the bench for Monday's contest due to Vucevic no longer dealing with his illness.

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in spot start Smith notched 11 points (3-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks across 29 minutes during Friday's 109-95 win over the Hornets.

Impact Smith got his first start of the season after NikolaVucevic was ruled out due to an illness, notching his first double-double of the campaign. He added a season-high five blocks for good measure, reminding everyone just what he can do when afforded starter-level minutes. Although he could shift back to a bench role as soon as their next game, Smith is someone who could move into a larger role at some point should the Bulls opt to move Vucevic prior to the trade deadline.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday Smith will get the start at center in Friday's matchup with the Hornets, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Smith will replace Nikola Vucevic (illness in the starting lineup. Chicago will go small with Smith at center alongside Josh Giddy, C'olby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Zach LaVine. It will be the first start of the season for Smith.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Underwhelming role continues Smith finished Friday's 132-123 loss to the Pacers with 10 points (3-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds and one block across 18 minutes.

Impact Smith continues to play limited minutes behind Nikola Vucevic, having logged fewer than 19 minutes in all of his 21 appearances thus far. He is currently averaging 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 three-pointers in 14.5 minutes per game, likely a victim of the fact that Nikola Vucevic has started the season on fire. Should the Bulls at any point decide to throw in the towel, there is a chance Smith could step into a more sizeable role. Until then, he will continue to soak up the majority of the backup center minutes.

DECEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Friday Smith (ankle) is active for Friday's game against the Celtics, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.

Impact Smith participated in Friday's shootaround, and he should see a steady dose of minutes off the bench as the primary backup of Nikola Vucevic at center. Smith is averaging 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in 13 contests since the beginning of November.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in shootaround Smith (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Celtics, participated in the club's morning shootaround, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Smith was sidelined during Wednesday's win over the Wizards, though his participation in shootaround bodes well for a potential return to game action. If the big man is unable to return due to the left ankle sprain, the club could take an extended look at Adama Sanogo and E.J. Liddell off the bench.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy vs. Boston Smith (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Celtics.

Impact Smith missed Wednesday's game against the Magic, and it's unclear if he'll recover in time to return against the reigning NBA champions. If he's unable to return for Friday's contest, then Adama Sanogo would be in line to see more minutes off the bench.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will not play Wednesday Smith (ankle) will be sidelined for Wednesday's tilt against the Magic.

Impact Wednesday will mark Smith's third absence of the year and first since Nov. 11. He's steadily been playing backup center minutes, but the Bulls don't have any other true fives to give extended run to. Coach Billy Donovan may have to run more small-ball, deploying players like Julian Phillips, Torrey Craig, Matas Buzelis and E.J. Liddell more often.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Wednesday Smith is questionable for Wednesday's game against Orlando due to a left ankle sprain.

Impact Wednesday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so the Bulls could take a cautious approach. Smith had a terrific showing Tuesday against the Wizards, scoring 12 points with nine rebounds, two assists and one block. If he's unable to play Wednesday, the Bulls are likely to utilize some smaller lineups.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Season-best effort on glass Smith logged 12 points (5-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block across 18 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 127-108 win over the Wizards.

Impact The nine boards were a season high for Smith. The fifth-year center hasn't seen his court time increase while Patrick Williams (foot) has been sidelined, but Smith has been more productive -- over the last three games he's scored in double digits twice while averaging 10.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 threes and 1.3 blocks in only 16.0 minutes a contest.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Saturday Smith (ankle) is available for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.

Impact Smith was deemed questionable for this matchup earlier Saturday, but he'll suit up and will be available off the bench. Smith is averaging 14.6 minutes off the bench per game in November, so his availability isn't expected to affect many fantasy lineups.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed questionable Smith is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies due to a sprained left ankle.

Impact Smith played 15 minutes in Friday's victory over Atlanta, but it appears he picked up an injury during the contest. If he can't play, E.J. Liddell and Torrey Craig could see more action.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swats three shots Smith notched five points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and three blocks over 15 minutes during Sunday's 143-107 loss to the Rockets.

Impact Despite a limited workload, Smith was able to record a season-high three blocks in the blowout loss. After a strong start to the campaign, Smith has faded in November, posting averages of 5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 14.9 minutes.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to score in victory Smith recorded zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 124-123 win over the Knicks.

Impact After recording double-digit points in three of his first four outings this season, Smith has done so just one time since. While the 24-year-old big man is converting 38.9 percent of his 3.6 three-point attempts per contest, he is also shooting just 44.4 percent from the field.

NOVEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Active Wednesday Smith (illness) will play Wednesday versus New York, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Smith joins a fully healthy Chicago frontcourt Wednesday after a one-game absence. The 24-year-old is everything 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds while knocking down 29.4 percent of 4.3 threes per game in his last four contests.

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Wednesday Smith (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Smith is in danger of missing a second straight game due to an illness. The backup big man has been solid to start his first season in Chicago, averaging 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE