The Chicago Bulls’ hot start to the 2025-26 campaign is a thing of the distant past, and there’s only pride left to play for. Prior to tip-off against the Indiana Pacers at 8:00 p.m. ET, the team’s top floor general’s status is iffy.
As he continues to work through a lingering hamstring issue, PG Josh Giddey has a new update on his status for Chicago’s midweek bout.
Let’s dive into the latest Josh Giddey injury update and how it could impact PrizePicks player projections for Wednesday’s Pacers vs. Bulls clash.
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Josh Giddey Injury Update vs. Pacers Tonight
According to Wednesday’s NBA injury report, Giddey was downgraded to questionable for Pacers vs. Bulls with left hamstring tightness.
This is more of the same for Giddey, who’s been nagged by the hamstring injury for quite some time now. Dating back to the end of December, the star guard has sat out 20 games, also adding ankle ailments into the mix.
Giddey started off the season on fire, averaging 20.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in his first 20 outings. Those numbers declined over his next 10 contests prior to getting hurt, however, and he hasn’t been the same player upon returning.
Since getting back on a full-time basis on February 19, Giddey has produced just 14.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 10.0 APG on 43.0% shooting from the field. That’s undoubtedly a solid box score line, albeit not at the volume and efficiency combination Chicago grew to expect early in the year.
Giddey, a member of the 2021-22 All-Rookie team, has appeared in 53 games for the 29-46 Bulls.
Josh Giddey Injury Impact: Which Bulls Players to Target?
If Giddey plays on Wednesday, it’s reasonable to anticipate that he could see a limited workload and pass the baton to someone else on offense. If that’s the case, and especially if he’s out, look no further than F Matas Buzelis as an intriguing option.
The sophomore forward has nearly doubled his scoring average from 2024-25 (8.6 PPG to 16.4). He’s also chipping in 5.7 RPG and 2.0 APG while swatting 1.5 shots on a nightly basis. It’s what Buzelis is doing since the All-Star break, though, that should have Bulls fans excited.
In that 19-game stretch, the No. 11 pick from the 2024 NBA Draft is pouring in 19.8 PPG and carrying a 24.8% usage clip.
According to databallr, in 958 minutes without Giddey this season, Buzelis’ usage rate (+2.8) and points (+1.1), rebounds (+0.7), and assists (+1.2) per 75 possessions all increase.
As the Bulls aim to capture win No. 30 on the season, Buzelis could be the key against the Pacers.
Matas Buzelis vs. Pacers Projections, Picks
Here are some top Matas Buzelis projections vs. the Pacers tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 21.5 Points
- 7 Rebounds
- 1.5 Assists (Goblin)
- 31.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 38.5 Fantasy Score
- And More
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Make Pacers vs. Bulls Picks on PrizePicks
Regardless of whether Josh Giddey plays in Pacers vs. Bulls on Wednesday night, basketball fans have a multitude of other NBA projections to target as the action continues.
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