Chicago Bulls receive major lift as Zach Collins readies comeback

After a surprisingly strong start, the Chicago Bulls have hit a rough patch of inconsistency. The team received encouraging news recently, as Zach Collins could make his season debut next week. Collins has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on October 17 to repair a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist, but he may finally participate in contact practices this week, according to The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi.

“Billy Donovan says Zach Collins will try to get in contact practices this week, and that his target range to return to play is that home stretch after this post-Thanksgiving road trip, which features games vs Brooklyn, Indiana and Golden State,” the NBA insider wrote on a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Billy Donovan says Zach Collins will try to get in contact practices this week, and that his target range to return to play is that home stretch after this post-Thanksgiving road trip, which features games vs Brooklyn, Indiana and Golden State.

— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) November 24, 2025

Chicago kicked off a four-game road trip in New Orleans following three wins in their previous four outings. Defensively, they faltered badly in a 143-130 defeat to the Pelicans, marking the third time in six games they’ve surrendered at least 143 points.

The Bulls were hampered by multiple injuries in their loss to the Pelicans. Nikola Vucevic missed the game with a knee issue, while Kevin Huerter (pelvis), Dalen Terry (calf), and Isaac Okoro (back) also sat out. All four are expected to return when Chicago faces Charlotte on Friday.

Zach Collins with the Bulls

Chicago likely held practice on Wednesday, but it’s unclear whether Zach Collins took part fully.

Even if he missed Wednesday’s session, Collins has time to prepare, as the team doesn’t play again until Friday. Coach Billy Donovan expects him to return in uniform when the Bulls begin a four-game home stretch next Wednesday against the Nets, followed by matchups with the Pacers on December 5, the Warriors on December 7, and the Cavaliers on December 17.

Collins’ return is urgently needed. The Bulls sit eighth in the Eastern Conference at 9-8, dropping seven of their last 10 games. They have been outscored by nearly three points per contest and rank in the league’s lower half in both offensive rating at 114.4 and defensive rating at 117.5.

The Bulls rank among the league’s top-10 shooting teams, yet they convert just 59 percent of shots at the rim, the third-worst mark in the NBA.

Collins may not be a scoring wizard, but he brings polished post skills and soft finishing around the basket. He excels as a screener and floor spacer, capable of stretching the defense when needed. At 28, Collins is also a strong rebounder and rim protector, qualities the Bulls desperately need as they sit in the league’s bottom third in offensive rebounding and are being outrebounded by roughly one board per game.

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