With 2:22 remaining in the first quarter, the Chicago Bulls took the lead over the Indiana Pacers and never looked back.
However, they did receive some much-needed assistance from a well-known figure from the past, as Javonte Green made his comeback debut that evening. In the midst of the Bulls’ frontcourt injuries on March 22, Green agreed to a 10-day contract.
In 19 minutes, he was a team-leading plus-26 with five points, four rebounds, one assist, one block, and one assist.
Alex Caruso stated, as reported by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic on March 27, “He played great.” That is the Javonte that has long been known and adored by all of us. He takes care of everything we require. firm defense. shielding the edge. Come back. Play with passion. Seize the moment when it presents itself. He performed those tonight quite well.”I had butterflies right before I entered,” Green told reporters after the game. “And that’s when I realized I just needed to walk in there and show them what they came to see.”
Green was a dynamic player for the Bulls the previous two seasons, but his 2022–2023 season was cut short due to a knee injury.
Green was taking everything in his stride following his recovery and a stint in the G League.
Per Mayberry, Green remarked, “I understand why there is a 10-day period.” “All I’m doing is heading outside, maintaining my concentration, and lowering my head until I emerge.” I’m just going to play my game, knowing that this is where I want to end up.
Bulls Win Big Enough to Break the Skid
The Bulls came into the game having lost their previous three games. They were being overtaken by the Atlanta Hawks in the competition for ninth place in the Eastern Conference and a home game in the Play-In Tournament’s opening round at the same time.
On March 27, Atlanta defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, extending their winning streak to three contests.
This win kept the Hawks at bay, maintaining the Bulls’ narrow 1.5-game lead. The Bulls have nine games left on the regular season slate while the Hawks have 10 games. The two teams will meet for the final time this regular season on April 1. That game could have tremendous postseason implications. The Bulls are up 2-0 in the season series. But the Hawks could take the spot from them outright with their strong play of late. Bulls Face Road-Heavy Gantlet to End Season Working in the Bulls’ favor, they have a decidedly easier remaining strength of schedule than the Hawks, who face the fifth-toughest stretch to end the campaign, per Tankathon.
The Bulls have the 10th-easiest schedule to end the 2023–24 season, but it is still loaded with obstacles: they have six road games and six games against playoff or Play-In teams; they are 16–19 on the road this season and 17–29 against winning teams. It will be difficult for a tenacious group to cap off what has been a difficult season on many fronts. Aside from injuries, the Bulls started the season 5–14. Since then, they have the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference, which may offer some hope.
