The Chicago Bulls host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. It was a hot start to the season for the Magic, as they entered this game 3-1 in their first four games.

They aren’t expected to make much noise in the Eastern Conference this season, but the rebuilding Bulls are off to a 2-2 start, showing signs of a competitive group that could be tough to play against. any night. By getting back some key players after extended injury absences, the Bulls have some talent on this roster.

In a very unexpected and last-minute injury announcement Wednesday night, the Bulls ruled out forward Jalen Smith.

Via Bulls: “Injury update: Jalen Smith (left knee soreness) is out for tonight’s game against Orlando. »

Smith was initially listed on the injury report as questionable with a sprained left ankle, so this injury is one he suffered in warmups.

Via KC Johnson of Chicago Sports News: “This is not the injury he was listed as questionable for and it occurred during warmups.”

Smith had appeared in all four games earlier this season, averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in just 13.8 minutes per game. This is Smith’s first season with the Bulls, having spent the last three seasons with the Indiana Pacers after beginning his career with the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix made Smith the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and while he hasn’t developed into a star-level player, he has shown signs of being an important productive rotation at the NBA level .

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