Bulls’ Giddey Ready to Shine in Must-Win Play-In Tournament Game

CHICAGO, IL — Josh Giddey will be in the lineup for the Chicago Bulls‘ first game of the play-in tournament on Wednesday against the Miami Heat at the United Center. After fully participating in practice on Tuesday, Giddey expressed confidence in his availability despite recent injury concerns.

“I’m good to go,” Giddey declared. “Play-in game, must-win game — there’s no way I’m going to sit it out.” Giddey has been dealing with pain in his right forearm, affecting his pinkie and wrist, and had missed three of the last four regular-season games due to the injury.

The discomfort began after the All-Star break, intensifying during the final weeks of the season. Giddey noted that while his shooting performance was initially unaffected, his 3-point shooting percentage dropped dramatically from 51.7% to 30.4% as the pain worsened. He underwent various scans to determine the injury’s cause but described the pain and stiffness as frustratingly inconsistent.

Despite these challenges, Giddey intends to play through the pain for as long as the Bulls remain in the postseason. “I hope it’s to a high level. It’s all about managing the pain,” he said. “We’ll do everything we can to reduce it as much as possible, but I’ll deal with it and play through it.”

His performance will be critical for the Bulls, who seek to advance in the play-in tournament for the first time. Giddey has emerged as a key player since the All-Star break, averaging 21.2 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and 9.3 assists in the last 19 games.

Giddey, who missed the Bulls’ previous play-in losses to the Heat in the last two seasons, is motivated by the team’s goal of breaking that streak. He emphasized that all players are eager to seize this opportunity. “We understand the magnitude of it,” he said.

Compounding his motivation is the prospect of proving his worth in the league. After a somewhat rocky start, where he averaged only 12.1 points per game for the first half of the season, Giddey’s recent games illustrated his growth as a scorer and playmaker.

In this recent stretch, Giddey has not only increased his scoring average significantly but also improved his 3-point shooting to a remarkable 47.1%. The rookie contended that the upcoming games will help solidify his value in the league.

He said, “Every game represents an opportunity to raise my price. I know I have to prove this is the real me. I want to show I can perform in elimination games and bring this team where it needs to go.”

In their face-off against Miami earlier this season, Giddey thrived, averaging 25.3 points over three games and recording two triple-doubles. Coach Billy Donovan noted Giddey’s ability to read defenses effectively, enabling him to create opportunities. “He does a really, really good job of reading the floor and reading the defense,” Donovan explained.

The Bulls, who have faced Miami in the play-in the last two years, enter this game with renewed vigor. Their pace of play, ranked second in the league, highlights their aggressive approach to offense, which has been pivotal during the regular season. Giddey and fellow guard Coby White are expected to push the ball, utilizing their speed to create fast-break opportunities.

Buzelis, another key player, emphasized the importance of the team’s fast pace. “I don’t really get nervous. I just want to make winning plays for my team, do anything it takes to win the game,” he said.

As the Bulls prepare to face Miami, the stakes are higher than ever. A win on Wednesday would set them up against either the Atlanta Hawks or the Orlando Magic for a chance to secure the eighth seed in the playoffs.