No timetable yet for Markkanen, Porter return
Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. was back in the starting lineup for the second straight game after missing 11 with a right quad bruise. Before Wednesday's game, coach Billy Donovan said there's no news on a return for Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) or Otto Porter (back).
"(Porter) is progressing and working through things, but he's still not doing anything on the court," Donovan said. "He's doing stuff in the weight room, he's doing strengthening and rehabilitation. It's just a matter of him just getting stronger and feeling more comfortable and getting rid of the discomfort that he's dealing with when he does certain movements. I don't really know when a timetable for him to come back.
"I think Lauri right now shows signs of improvement, but his days are mixed. I think the mornings are a lot more challenging and as he gets up and moves around a little bit, I think he starts to feel better. The one good part of Lauri is the conditioning piece of him being able to run and do those kind of things. His issues are when he raises his arm over his head, he still has discomfort there. It's not to the point where it was when he first got injured. He is making progress but he still has not been able to do anything on the court as well."
Donovan said things are status quo with Chandler Hutchison, who is taking a break for personal reasons, although he has been practicing and staying with the team.