After two days in a row off, the Minnesota Timberwolves will return to action Thursday night when they travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls. The last time out, the Wolves took down the Charlotte Hornets and put up as dominant a performance as we have seen them curate this season.
Minnesota will look to carry over their solid play on both sides of the ball against the Bulls, who have had an up-and-down campaign to begin the season. Chicago started 3-2 and defeated teams that are expected to be playoff squads like the Magic and Grizzlies. But since then, they have fallen to bottom-dwellers like the Jazz at home, and the Nets.
Suffice to say, this is an excellent chance for the Timberwolves to pick up their second consecutive victory. The problem of transition defense still remains for Minnesota, but that should not prevent them from leaving the Windy City with a victory.
Is Lonzo Ball playing tonight vs the Timberwolves?
As we look ahead to this matchup, we consider the injury status of one of the Bulls' most important players in Lonzo Ball. Recently returning to the hardwood for the first time since January 2022, Lonzo has re-energized the Bulls' fanbase by finally being available to play.
But just as the excitement was stirring up once again, it was announced on October 29 that Ball had suffered a sprained wrist and would miss at least 10 days. As of this writing, Lonzo is set to sit out against the Timberwolves. He told reporters this week that had he continued to play with his wrist in its current condition, he likely would have needed surgery at one point or another.
Ball told us last week that he likely would’ve needed surgery if he had kept playing with injury. Donovan added more context, saying it could’ve been like Patrick Williams’ season-ending wrist surgery in 2021-22. https://t.co/2QnpsNp50c
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 7, 2024
Full Timberwolves injury report vs Bulls:
As for Minnesota, the Timberwolves have no players listed on their injury report. Rudy Gobert had been added to the list earlier in the week with an ankle sprain, but that appears to have cleared up by now. Although not injured, Jesse Edwards, Jaylen Clark and Leonard Miller will all be away from the team, as all three are on assignment with the G League team in Iowa.
Full Bulls injury report vs Timberwolves:
The Bulls, on the other hand, have a longer injury report for Thursday night. Along with Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine (adductor) will also be out, and Jalen Smith (knee) is probable. Josh Giddey (illness) and Patrick Williams (shoulder) had both been listed on the injury report for Chicago's previous game, but it appears both are set to go against Minnesota.