Raptors Vs Bulls: Giddey, Jones and Smith Upgraded to Probable as Bulls Return After Break
The Bulls will head into their first post-All-Star break matchup with an infusion of available players as Josh Giddey, Tre Jones and Jalen Smith were all upgraded to probable for Raptors Vs Bulls. The return of those three lifts a key question mark surrounding Chicago’s backcourt and rotation heading into the meeting with Toronto.
Raptors Vs Bulls: What the upgrades mean
Josh Giddey, who has been sidelined by a hamstring issue, completed a full practice on Wednesday and is expected to make his return on Thursday versus Toronto. His absence stretched across eight consecutive games and, more broadly, he has suited up in just four of the club’s last 19 outings while that hamstring issue lingered. The team has been cautious with him in previous appearances, limiting him to under 30 minutes in games last month, and soft-tissue management will likely govern his initial workload as he reintegrates.
Tre Jones was also listed probable after missing the previous 11 games with a hamstring problem; he had been a key leader for the second unit prior to the injury. Jalen Smith receives a similar upgrade, providing the frontcourt a potential boost as the group looks to find balance coming out of the break.
Backcourt overhaul and lineup integration
The timing of these upgrades complicates — and potentially accelerates — the process of integrating a recently overhauled backcourt. The roster experienced a significant turnaround in personnel, with multiple departures and arrivals reshaping ball-handling and secondary playmaking roles. Giddey’s first game back will be his initial opportunity to run alongside a host of new teammates, and coaching staff will be watching how he pairs with candidates in the guard rotation.
Names expected to factor into backcourt combinations include newer additions who will be vying to complement Giddey’s facilitation. While some of those players bring a track record in the secondary ball-handler role, others are younger and will be auditioning for consistent minutes alongside the team’s lead facilitator. Expect limited minutes early for Giddey as the coaching staff balances his conditioning and the need to build cohesion with the revamped group.
Outlook for the contest and cautious optimism
With three players upgraded to probable, the Bulls enter the Raptors matchup with more depth and options than in recent weeks. The club’s medical and coaching teams remain mindful of hamstring recovery timelines and the history of restricted minutes when guarding against re-injury. The immediate objective will be to get Giddey, Jones and Smith back on the floor in managed roles and to observe how those returns affect rotations, particularly in the backcourt where personnel turnover has been highest.
How quickly the trio is allowed to ramp up will shape the short-term lineup decisions and could determine whether Chicago can translate the added availability into continuity as the team navigates the remainder of the schedule following the All-Star break.
