Chicago Bulls' Coby White Suffers Terrifying Injury, Potentially Impacting His Bid for the Most Improved Player Award

The Chicago Bulls have faced significant challenges with injuries this season. After losing All-Star Zach LaVine and promising forward Patrick Williams to season-ending surgeries last month, the team now faces the absence of rising star Coby White due to a hip injury sustained late in the game against the Indiana Pacers.

Terrifying fall

The injury occurred with only 5.1 seconds left in the game, with the Bulls trailing by one, 115-114. White seized possession of the ball and raced up the floor for what he anticipated to be an easy layup.

However, Pacers big man Pascal Siakam caught up with the former Tar Heel and blocked his layup from behind. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the play, Siakam landed on White's back, causing him to awkwardly and painfully land.


Following a few moments of writhing in pain and clutching his leg, White rose to his feet and was assisted back to the locker room.

In the postgame interview, Bulls coach Billy Donovan disclosed that White may have sustained a hip injury, though nothing is definite until the team returns to Chicago and conducts proper tests on the guard. While White did not speak to the media, reports indicated that he remained his usual cheerful self in the locker room. He concluded the game with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.

Here's what his Coach had to say :


Could an injury dim his campaign?

Yet, White's luck turned sour as he injured his hip late in the thrilling match against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The severity of the injury is still uncertain, sparking worries about its impact on his stellar season.

Hughes, Bleacher Report's choice for this award was Toronto's Scottie Barnes before a fractured hand sidelined him for the rest of the season. With Barnes out of contention, White emerges as one of the prime candidates for this accolade, particularly if he swiftly recovers from his injury and maintains his impressive performance level.

After securing the starting position this season, the former Tar Heel immediately caught attention, not for his exceptional play, but for some inconsistent performances. In the initial 20 games, White averaged just 14 points on a 41 percent shooting rate.

However, he underwent a transformation in December, spearheading the Bulls' resurgence from a dismal 5-14 start and averaging over 22 points per game with a 46 percent shooting rate, including 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Although White encountered rough patches, likely due to fatigue from his extensive playing time, his impact this season cannot be overlooked. He has evolved beyond being solely a scorer, emerging as a dependable playmaker and defender.
Source : Sports Illustrated
Source : Sports Illustrated