Overview
- Coby White was activated for his first game of the season against Utah after an August right calf strain, with his workload capped at roughly 24 minutes.
- Josh Giddey returned from a right ankle sprain suffered on Nov. 8 against Cleveland after missing two games, moving from probable on the injury report to cleared to play.
- Head coach Billy Donovan, via K.C. Johnson, said both guards completed full-contact practices and were expected to play this week with game-by-game monitoring.
- Chicago entered Sunday 6–5 on a four-game losing streak and begins a five-games-in-seven-days stretch that will guide minutes and availability decisions.
- Starting guard Tre Jones sat with a left ankle issue, opening backcourt minutes as White and Giddey rejoined the rotation.