Bulls suffer pain and injuries in 20-point blowout loss to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – It no longer feels like Jaden Ivey has a shrinking runway for a return this season.

It’s down to about a sidewalk.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan gave the latest update on Ivey on Wednesday, and it wasn’t great. Acquired from Detroit in the Kevin Huerter trade, Ivey was back practicing last week after a month-long knee strengthening program and of course collided with a teammate.

Before that setback, Ivey was expected to return to play at some point on this current four-city road trip. A trip that Ivey was no longer a part of.

“After he banged knees, he did have some swelling,” Donovan said. “That’s down now. He’s made some progress, but he’s not on this trip now, he was (left) behind and try to continue to work on his strength and get him stronger. Banging the knee gave him a little more discomfort.”

Not the only discomfort Donovan’s roster was going through.

While the one-sided 157-137 laugher against Philadelphia was bad enough, the Bulls also lost Nick Richards with a right elbow injury and Jalen Smith to his recurring calf issue in the first half. Not ideal for a team already playing undersized in the frontcourt, and 76ers center Joel Embiid made them pay with 35 points in 28 minutes of work.

“We’re not mathematically eliminated, but we’re pretty much eliminated,” guard Josh Giddey said of the latest loss. “I think the important thing (the rest of the season) is we try and play the right way.”

Basically, the opposite of what they did against Philadelphia, especially in a third quarter in which they allowed 51 points.

“It was disappointing,” Donovan said. “Even before Jalen got hurt, Nick got hurt, we didn’t start off the game shooting the ball well.”

Donovan thought that poor start bled into all aspects of the game and there was no recovery.

Meanwhile, the Bulls (29-43) at least have some immediate clarity with Smith and Richards. Smith has one more year left on his deal, while Richards is a free agent. The challenge of the Ivey situation is he’s a restricted free agent. The Bulls would like to see if he could get back to the explosive player he was coming out of Purdue before committing, but that might not happen.

Ideally, Ivey stays in Chicago and works with the medical team after the season, but every player is different.

“There’s no question that when it comes to Jaden our medical people would be absolutely open minded about him staying (in Chicago), working with him and getting him stronger, but ultimately once the season ends, I’m sure there will be some collaboration with our medical guys, any second opinions with doctors, coaches, to figure out what’s the best avenue to work on his strength and get him back on the court playing,” Donovan said.

Mr. Smith’s future

Donovan did say after the game that because Smith continues to be plagued by the calf injury, there has to be a discussion on whether or not they should shut him down for the remainder of the season.

Smith will make $9.4 million next season and then could become a free agent.

Say what?

The 157 points by Philadelphia was the most points they scored in a game since the 1970 season. The Bulls trailed by as much as 39 and allowed 122 points after three quarters.