Analysis: Okoro was back in the Bulls' lineup after an eight-game absence. While it was announced before the game that he would be limited to 20 minutes, he wound up playing 26. The 15 points were four shy of his season-high, but the former lottery pick did not record any defensive stats in Charlotte. With Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) not seeing action, Patrick Williams picked up the slack off the bench, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in 26 minutes. While both had encouraging nights at the office, neither Okoro nor Williams should be considered in most redraft leagues.

Analysis: After playing 21 and 19 minutes in his first two appearances of the season, Collins logged 20 minutes on Friday. While the production was good, the true attention-grabber was the fact that he was part of the Bulls' closing lineup, with starting center Nikola Vu?evi? (13/3/4 with one block and one three-pointer in 22 minutes) watching from the bench despite not being in foul trouble. With Jalen Smith (5/10/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) playing 17 minutes and sharing the court with Collins at times, this is a position to monitor in the short term. Chicago sticking with this setup would make Collins worthy of a look in deep leagues.

Analysis: Of the eight games he's played this season, White has scored at least 20 points in seven. While his field-goal percentage in Friday's victory was lacking, the Bulls guard provided decent value in the rebounds category. With Josh Giddey running the show, White's assist ceiling may be a bit limited, but he did enter Friday averaging 5.4 per game. The more significant issue for category league managers is the lack of defensive production, which limits White's fantasy ceiling.

Analysis: Giddey and the Bulls ended their seven-game losing streak on Friday, with the point guard recording an impressive stat line. He finished with his 15th double-double of the season and is halfway to his 2024-25 total. In his two prior appearances, Giddey totaled 27 points on 8-of-24 shooting from the field. Facing one of the NBA's worst defenses, Giddey's efficiency as a scorer improved, and he finished with a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Bulls end Week 8 with a game against the Pelicans on Sunday.

Analysis: Okoro is back and will make his first appearance in a game since November 21. His return coincides with Ayo Dosunmu being sidelined by a thumb injury. However, Okoro will be restricted to 20 minutes, so his fantasy value won't receive a significant boost.

Analysis: Collins was initially probable for Friday's game, so the upgrade in status is unsurprising. However, with Jalen Smith (hamstring) also available, neither player is likely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball.

Analysis: Okoro will suit up for the first time since November 21, and in his return from a back injury, he's expected to be limited to 20 minutes. Okoro is averaging 8.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a full-time starter in his first season with the Bulls. Despite being a mainstay in the starting unit, he's not a player fantasy managers should consider worth rostering.

Analysis: Smith is back in the Bulls' rotation after missing five games with a strained left hamstring. He will be limited to 20 minutes, but the presence of starter Nikola Vu?evi? and Zach Collins would have made it difficult for Smith to hit that number without a restriction. Fantasy managers can afford to leave him on the waiver wire.

Analysis: After missing the Bulls' last three games, Jones is good to go in Charlotte. However, he will be limited to 24 minutes. That restriction, combined with the presence of starters Josh Giddey and Coby White, makes Jones a player who can be left on the waiver wire in most leagues.

Analysis: White was initially probable for Friday's game, so the upgrade in status was expected. He will occupy his usual place in the starting lineup alongside Josh Giddey. Given the matchup, White could be in for a big night as long as his calf doesn't flare up.

Analysis: While White is dealing with some tightness in his right calf, the probable tag suggests that he will ultimately be available on Friday. With Tre Jones also probable, he is the likely replacement if White cannot play against the Hornets. Jones is only worth rostering when allowed to start.

Analysis: According to Cowley, the Timberwolves are “looking to fix the primary ball-handling situation that's been an issue all season long,” and they are “not looking to wait until February and the trade deadline to get a deal done.” Anthony Edwards has been playing a fair amount of point guard, or initiating more of the offense for the Timberwolves, but that apparently doesn't feel sustainable for them. White turned down an extension with the Bulls last offseason and wanted “to bet on himself and explore unrestricted free agency come next July,” so the Bulls may prefer getting something in return for him, rather than risk letting him walk for free.

Analysis: Smith has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury but will return on Friday. The wrinkle is that Zach Collins (wrist) returned to the court for the first time this season while Smith was sidelined. The two have not played together this season, so it remains to be seen how the minutes will be distributed, but neither player will likely have much fantasy appeal.

Analysis: Okoro has missed the last eight games with a back injury, but could be back and starting on Friday, with Kevin Huerter (hamstring) still out. Okoro has averaged 8.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 15 games this season.

Analysis: Collins had offseason wrist surgery and returned to the court for the first time last Friday. In two games, he's averaged 5.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while playing 20 minutes a game. The Bulls are understandably being cautious with his recovery, but we should expect about 20 minutes from him again on Friday.

Analysis: Jones practiced fully on Thursday for the second straight day and is now expected to suit up on Friday. He has missed three games, and the Bulls can certainly use him with both Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) and Kevin Huerter (hamstring) still out.

Analysis: Huerter was injured on December 1st and was to be re-evaluated after one week. Still, after that evaluation, he will not travel with the team to Charlotte and will miss yet another game. There is no more information on when he might return.

Analysis: Bulls head coach Billy Donovan confirmed that neither Ayo Dosunmu nor Kevin Huerter will travel to Charlotte for Friday's game. Dosunmu returned to action on Sunday after missing one game with his thumb injury, but then he was unable to practice on Monday and will now miss Friday's game. It remains to be seen how much longer he will miss. With Tre Jones also out, Jevon Carter has seen an uptick in playing time.

Analysis: Bulls coach Billy Donovan said it was a non-contact practice, but Dosunmu didn't participate. Dosunmu also went to a doctor after Sunday night's loss because his thumb was bothering him. He already missed one game with the sprained thumb, so it's possible he aggravated the injury. More updates should be provided closer to Chicago's next game, which isn't until Friday.

Analysis: Giddey took a team-high 15 shots in this one as the Bulls fell behind early and never quite recovered. The 23-year-old guard has scuffled a bit recently as his rebounding and assists numbers have taken a hit over the past two weeks. He's remained a steady 20-point scorer, but the Bulls are reeling of late, having lost seven consecutive games since November 24. They have just two games on tap for next week when they face the Hornets and Pelicans.