Chicago Bulls Head Coach
Josh Giddey’s Resurgence and Impact on the Bulls’ Playoff Push
Who could have predicted Josh Giddey’s breakout season in Chicago?
The 6-foot-8 Australian point guard has always had impressive size and elite fast-break skills, paired with sharp court vision and creative passing. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder, known for their strong player development system, moved on from Giddey during last season’s playoff push, trading him to the Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso. His struggles with outside shooting and defensive liabilities made him a poor fit in OKC’s system.
Early in his time with the Bulls, those same weaknesses were apparent. Through the first three months of the season, Giddey shot just 43.2% from the field and 31.9% from three—right in line with his career averages. His plus-minus stood at -99 across nearly 1,100 minutes.
But everything changed on January 20. Since then, Giddey has emerged as Chicago’s most reliable and impactful player. His recent ankle injury was a concerning setback, but the latest updates provide a much-needed boost for a Bulls team playing its best basketball of the season.
What Giddey’s Injury Update Means for the Bulls’ Playoff Hopes
Since the Bulls’ January 20 victory over the Clippers, Giddey has been on fire, averaging 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. More notably, he’s shooting 50.6% from the field and 45.8% from three over a 21-game stretch while attempting 4.6 threes per game—a significant improvement.
Giddey suffered an ankle injury in Chicago’s March 2 loss to the Indiana Pacers, forcing him to miss three of the Bulls’ last six games. However, head coach Billy Donovan recently provided a positive update, stating that Giddey is progressing well and should return during the team’s six-game West Coast road trip. According to K.C. Johnson of CHSN, Giddey is expected to suit up either on March 19 against the Suns or March 20 against the Kings but won’t play in both games.
Bulls Gaining Momentum in the Playoff Race
With a St. Patrick’s Day win over the Utah Jazz, the Bulls leapfrogged the struggling Miami Heat (who have lost eight straight) to claim ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. If the season ended today, Chicago would host a Play-In Tournament game against Miami.
However, the Bulls are surging, winning five of their last six games. They now sit just 2.5 games behind Orlando for eighth place and three games back of Atlanta for seventh.
With Giddey’s return, the team’s strong form, and 14 regular-season games remaining, Chicago has a legitimate chance to secure the sixth or seventh seed. If they manage that, they’ll not only host a Play-In game but will also need just one win to officially clinch a playoff spot for the first time in four years.
