DENVER — NBA teams tend to fall back on minutes restrictions starting this time of the year. On Sunday, the Bulls showed they’re more like “minutes suggestions.”
Guard Coby White, making his season debut against the Jazz after dealing with a strained right calf since August, was on a restriction of 24 minutes. But those came and went as coach Billy Donovan — with approval and monitoring from the Bulls’ medical team — gave him a few more minutes in the first overtime period and just under four more in the second overtime before the Bulls lost 150-147.
White, who finished with 27 points, came out of the game fine.
“I talked to him [Monday] morning a little bit and he felt really good, so I think that was a positive sign,” Donovan said. “Nothing [of concern] with playing maybe six more minutes than we anticipated. It was a medical and Coby decision, but he felt fine — he felt good.”
White was still kept out Monday night against the Nuggets in the second half of a back-to-back, as was the original plan. The Bulls intend to use again him for one game during their next back-to-back Friday and Saturday at the United Center. Considering Friday night’s game is an NBA Cup pool-play game, all signs point to White playing then and sitting out the next night against the Wizards.
He’s just happy to be back.
“The first half [Sunday], I was pretty tired. I was a little winded,” he said. “Second half, I started getting my wind. My legs felt a little heavy, so that’s why some of my shots were short. Missed a lot of chippies around the rim, so that comes with timing.”
White will still be on a 24-minute limit from the Trail Blazers game Wednesday night in Portland through the Pelicans next Monday night in New Orleans. The Bulls then have three straight days off. Donovan hopes White’s restriction will be lifted after Thanksgiving.
Collins and the calendar
Those three days off next week could be key for another Bulls player, reserve center Zach Collins, whom Donovan wants to get back in the practice mix after surgery for a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist last month.
“Because he’s been in the splint, he’s lost a lot of mobility, flexibility and strength, so he’s got to get that back, so there will be a lot of things he’ll have to do in the weight room to get those back,” Donovan said.
“I’m probably being a little eager and optimistic, but I’m hoping he can get into practice in one of those days where we can have a contact practice. . . . How long it will take to get his strength back to be able to go into a practice remains to be seen, but he can start doing things with his hand.”
Eyes on Ayo
Guard Ayo Dosunmu was able to handle his usual rotation spot in the second unit Monday but was dealing with tightness in his hamstring and calf and was on a minutes watch. Donovan said the situation isn’t seen as serious.