After Friday’s disastrous Summer time League debut, Bulls rookie Noa Essengue appeared extra snug with the extent of competitors on Saturday, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Solar-Instances. The twelfth total choose was overmatched in his first sport, scoring 5 factors in almost 25 minutes, posting a minus-32 score and saying he was “shocked” by the extent of physicality he encountered. Though he didn’t dominate in at present’s loss to Sacramento, he in all probability calmed a couple of nerves all through the group with 12 factors and 10 rebounds in about 19 minutes earlier than being pulled from the sport with an harm.
“Undoubtedly higher,” Summer time League coach Billy Donovan III mentioned. “He positively wasn’t pondering as a lot, saved the dribbles down and I assumed he was decisive. I believe he’ll get higher and higher. They’re calling it a knee contusion proper now, so he’ll get therapy on Sunday and see how he responds to it.”
Essengue appeared to harm his proper leg whereas working his manner over a display screen within the third quarter, in response to Ok.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports activities Community (Twitter hyperlink). Donovan mentioned group trainers indicated there was knee-to-knee contact, provides Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter hyperlink).
“I don’t know, I simply took successful,” Essengue mentioned (Twitter hyperlink). “We’re gonna see the way it feels the following few days. Undergo therapy and all that.”
There’s extra on the Bulls:
- Matas Buzelis appears extra like a veteran in his second Summer time League expertise, Cowley provides in a separate story. Along with being greater and stronger than he was on the finish of final season, Buzelis has turn into a extra vocal chief along with his teammates. He sat out at present’s sport after hurting his wrist by dunking the ball “just a little too exhausting” on Friday, however he advised reporters that he’ll be prepared when the Bulls return to motion on Monday, per Johnson (Twitter hyperlink).
- Josh Giddey is in Las Vegas, however he hasn’t been seen at both of the Bulls’ video games, tweets Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Fischer views it as an indication that negotiations on a brand new contract aren’t going effectively. Giddey and his representatives are reportedly hoping for $30MM a yr, however the marketplace for restricted free brokers has been dormant, leaving him with out a lot leverage.
- Joshua Primo, a 2021 lottery choose, hoped to revive his profession with the Bulls’ Summer time League group, however left foot soreness prevented him from making the journey to Las Vegas, in response to Johnson (Twitter hyperlink). The 22-year-old swingman signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Bulls final October and performed one sport with their G League affiliate.
