Chicago Bulls vs Los Angeles Lakers: preview and player stats (Feb 16, 2027)

Injury/Illness - Low Back Spasms (2026-11-13, ATL@CHI). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Powell (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hawks. Powell is trying to avoid a third consecutive absence due to a shoulder injury. With rookie standout Caleb Wilson (hand) going on the shelf for multiple weeks, Tre Jones and Isaac Okoro both have a chance to step up for the Bulls.

Injury/Illness - Right Metacarpal Fracture (2026-11-13, ATL@CHI). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Wilson (hand) is expected to miss four to six weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The rookie forward went down during Wednesday's loss to the Spurs, and he now needs surgery to repair a fractured right hand. More pressure will likely fall on Josh Giddey going forward, while the likes of Tre Jones and Isaac Okoro will have a chance for added streaming value.

Injury/Illness - Disc Irritation (2026-11-13, ATL@CHI). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Awaka (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hawks. Awaka will miss a second consecutive contest due to a back issue. His next chance to suit up will come Saturday at Minnesota.

Injury/Illness - Right Disc Irritation (2026-11-13, ATL@CHI). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Swain (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against Atlanta. Swain is in danger of missing a second straight game due to right disc irritation. However, his potential absence wouldn't cause any significant waves in the rotation.

Doncic finished Wednesday's 123-112 win over the Bucks with 32 points (10-25 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 7-10 FT), five rebounds, five assists and three steals across 32 minutes. He exited to the locker room late in the fourth quarter due to an apparent right ankle injury and did not return, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports. Doncic didn't deliver his most efficient shooting effort, though he still led all players in scoring while knocking down a game-high-tying five triples. He has now reached the 30-point threshold in each of his last nine appearances. The superstar floor general also tied for the game-best mark in steals, logging multiple swipes for the fourth time over his last six outings. However, Doncic's status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's game at Phoenix, as he landed on Kyle Kuzma's foot and exited to the locker room Wednesday.

Head coach JJ Redick said that X-rays on Reaves' left heel came back negative, but they won't have another update until he undergoes further imaging back in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports. Reaves hurt his heel coming down after a layup attempt, but the good news is that an Achilles injury has been ruled out. The Lakers are off until Sunday, but if Reaves needs to miss that game, Ziaire Williams would have a chance to start and Luka Doncic would be extremely busy on offense.

Grimes (finger) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks. Grimes didn't play Monday in Atlanta after scoring 12 points in 32 minutes as a starter in Detroit on Sunday. However, it appears that absence wasn't simply rest during the second night of a back-to-back set, as Grimes will now miss a second straight game. In his absence, Collin Sexton and Cameron Carr could remain involved with the second unit.

Sexton did not return to Wednesday's 123-112 win over the Bucks and required stitches to close a cut on his forehead, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports. Sexton knocked noggins with Ryan Rollins, but it sounds like he's avoided a concussion, so he should be able to get out there for Sunday's game in Phoenix. Austin Reaves (heel) also exited Wednesday's game, and if he needs to sit out Sunday, Sexton would have the chance for some extended minutes.