NIKOLA VUCEVIC NEWS

LaVine and Vucevic set to return from injuries when Bulls host Hornets

Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are set to return to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation after being sidelined because of injuries

JANUARY 5, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic to return against the Charlotte Hornets Two-time All-Star Zach LaVine will make his return against the Charlotte Hornets

JANUARY 5, 2024 • SUNTIMES.COM

Nikola Vucevic to return on Friday KC Johnson: Nikola Vucevic will also return vs. Charlotte, per VucevicSource: Twitter @KCJHoop What’s the buzz on Twitter? Trey Kerby @treyk...

JANUARY 5, 2024 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Will play off bench Friday Vucevic (groin) is available for Friday's game against the Hornets, but he'll be on a minutes restriction and operate off the bench, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Vucevic has missed five straight games, and Andre Drummond has flourished during that time, so the former's minutes restriction isn't surprising. Coach Billy Donovan said earlier this week that Vucevic didn't have a timetable to return and wouldn't practice this week, but the big man has a history of playing through pain, appearing in at least 70 games in four straight seasons, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.

JANUARY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Officially questionable for Friday Vucevic (groin) is questionable for Friday's game against Charlotte.

Impact Coach Billy Donovan said Tuesday that Vucevic didn't have a timetable to return and wouldn't practice this week, so his questionable designation is a bit of a surprise. It wouldn't be surprising to see him sit once again Friday, but he at least appears to be in the mix to return. Assuming he remains sidelined, Andre Drummond should continue to see increased run in the frontcourt.

JANUARY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Without timetable for return Coach Billy Donovan said Tuesday that Vucevic (groin) doesn't have a clear return timetable, and he won't practice this week, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Vucevic has missed three straight games due to a left groin strain and will likely miss at least a few more. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported at the end of December that the big man would be sidelined for 7-to-10 days, but it looks like his absence will extend well past that timeline. Given Vucevic isn't practicing yet, it's safe to label him week-to-week until the team provides a clearer update. Andre Drummond has been stellar in Vucevic's absence thus far, but Chicago has also deployed smaller lineups when the veteran isn't available, using both Patrick Williams and Terry Taylor at center.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out at least 7-to-10 days Vucevic is expected to miss at least 7-to-10 days with his left groin strain, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact This is a tough blow for Chicago, and it means they will be without their starting center until at least Jan. 5 against Charlotte. The good news for the Bulls is that Andre Drummond looks more than capable of filling in at center. During Tuesday's win over Atlanta, Drummond compiled 24 points with 25 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three steals in 39 minutes. Coach Billy Donovan said Tuesday that the Bulls could deploy some smaller lineups when Drummond isn't on the floor, and he mentioned both Patrick Williams and Terry Taylor as guys who can slide in at the five.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bulls C Nikola Vucevic to miss time with groin strain The Chicago Bulls will be without star center Nikola Vucevic for an undetermined length of time due to a groin strain.An MRI helped confirm...

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Bulls center Vucevic sidelined indefinitely by muscle strain Bulls center Nikola Vucevic was scratched from Tuesday's home game against Atlanta, and it sounds like his absence could continue for a few...

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Bulls center Vucevic misses game against Hawks because of groin and hip injury

Bulls center Nikola Vucevic missed Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks because of bruised muscles around his left hip and groin, leaving Chicago without two star players

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out Tuesday Vucevic will not play Tuesday against Atlanta due to a bruised adductor, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com reports.

Impact Vucevic will miss his first game since the spring of 2022 after appearing in all 82 games last season and starting the Bulls' first 31 contests of 2023-24. Andre Drummond will likely start and has streaming credibility for his rebounding prowess, while coach Billy Donovan noted that Terry Taylor and Patrick Williams could also see small-ball minutes at the five.

DECEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with adductor bruise Vucevic is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Hawks due to a left adductor contusion.

Impact Vucevic hasn't missed a game since the 2021-22 season. However, if he's sidelined Tuesday, Andre Drummond would presumably be the primary beneficiary, while Terry Taylor, Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips could see some minutes at center as well.

DECEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Production streak continues Vucevic had 20 points (7-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Saturday's 109-95 loss to Cleveland.

Impact Vucevic has notched at least 15 points or double-digit rebounds in 10 straight games, averaging 18.9 points and 11.2 boards over that span. A 45.0/34.0/95.0 percent shooting slash is underwhelming efficiency for a big, however, especially in the context of averaging just 1.8 free-throw attempts per game this season.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ugly double-double Vucevic closed Saturday's 118-116 loss to Miami with 12 points (3-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 32 minutes.

Impact Vucevic was inefficient while harming the Bulls in crunch time, missing multiple clutch attempts and effectively removing the ball from the hands of DeMar DeRozan and Coby White down the stretch. Vucevic's scoring has been on the rise in recent contests, and he's a bounce-back candidate Monday against Philadelphia, but it's discouraging to see his three-point shooting still at a lowly 26.8 percent clip through 27 games.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches double-double Thursday Vucevic closed Thursday's 124-116 victory over the Heat with 24 points (10-21 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 36 minutes.

Impact Vucevic led the Bulls in boards in the win and finished tied for second on the team in scoring. The big man also dished a season-high seven assists and tallied a pair of thefts to round out a strong all-around stat line. Vucevic went through a rough stretch at the end of November and into the beginning of December, scoring under 10 points and posting-single digit rebounds in four of five games, but he's bounced back by averaging 21.0 points and 13.2 boards over his past five contests.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent against Denver Vucevic chipped in 26 points (12-21 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 114-106 loss to Denver.

Impact Vucevic has no problem stepping his game up whenever one of DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine (foot) are sidelined. Since the latter is dealing with a foot injury, the big man has emerged as a reliable second option on offense. He's unlikely to continue putting up these numbers on a sustained basis going forward, but Vucevic has been outstanding lately. Over his last five games, he's averaging 18.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massive at both ends Friday Vucevic registered 21 points (9-22 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and one block over 36 minutes during Friday's 121-112 victory over the Spurs.

Impact Vucevic posted his third double-double over his last four outings, and the big man continues to enjoy having a more prominent role with Zach LaVine (foot) out until late December at the earliest. Vucevic has recorded 11 double-doubles on the season, and the big man will aim to keep that run going when taking on the Bucks on Monday.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies 20-10 game in victory Vucevic provided 20 points (8-17 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 111-100 win over Charlotte.

Impact Vucevic led all players in Wednesday's game in rebounds while finishing as one of two Bulls with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Vucevic has hauled in at least 10 rebounds in 10 games this season, adding 20 or more points in six of those contests.

DECEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heats up with 29 points Vucevic chipped in 29 points (11-21 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and one steal in 40 minutes during Thursday's 120-113 overtime victory over the Bucks.

Impact Vucevic finally found his groove Thursday, breaking a streak of three straight games with single-digit points. Vucevic had no choice but to be more assertive offensively, as the Bulls were without Zach LaVine (foot) and DeMar DeRozan (ankle) on Thursday. The Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak, and this performance could help Vucevic pick up some momentum.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Vucevic and White lead the way as Bulls beat Bucks 120-113 in OT

Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 29 points, and the short-handed Chicago Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 120-113 in overtime

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quiet in loss to Nets Vucevic registered six points (3-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes during Sunday's 118-109 loss to the Nets.

Impact Vucevic was held to single-digit points for the first time of the season Friday against the Raptors with nine points, only to hit rock bottom Sunday night with a season-low six points. The Bulls have lost four straight games and have a 5-13 record, leading to several players being mentioned in the rumor mill as possible trade candidates.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Held to nine points Vucevic ended Friday's 121-108 loss to the Raptors with nine points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), eight rebounds, five assists and one steal in 36 minutes.

Impact For the first time this season, Vucevic was unable to score in double digits. He's certainly been trending down in recent games, averaging 13.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists over his last five outings. He also has a total of one block in that stretch.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double Wednesday Vucevic totaled 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Wednesday's 116-102 loss to Oklahoma City.

Impact Vucevic has been a consistent threat to post double-doubles this season, but Wednesday's double-double was just his second over his last five appearances. However, the 33-year-old has been a consistent force for the Bulls this year and is averaging 16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34.4 minutes per game.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Near double-double Vucevic posted 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-5 3Pt), eight rebounds, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Saturday's 102-97 victory over the Heat.

Impact Vucevic is the epitome of consistency. He averaged exactly 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in back-to-back seasons entering 2023-24 and is on pace for similar numbers this year. However, Vucevic's shooting numbers have dropped this season, posting 47/26/79 shooting splits after 52/35/84 last year.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles again in loss Vucevic ended with 26 points (11-24 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Monday's 118-109 loss to the Bucks.

Impact Vucevic matched his season high with 26 points, adding double-digit boards for the sixth time this season. He has now scored at least 20 points in three straight games, continuing to be one of the more consistent producers from the center position. While it is unlikely he will maintain his recent production, Vucevic should be a lock to finish inside the top 50 once again this season, barring any unforeseen injuries.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE