{"id":589211,"date":"2026-02-07T22:47:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T22:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/589211\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T22:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T22:47:15","slug":"denver-nuggets-vs-chicago-bulls-injury-report-whos-playing-injured-and-questionable-players-head-to-head-records-team-stats-and-more-february-7-2026-nba-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/589211\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls injury report: Who’s playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (February 7, 2026) | NBA News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"DenverDenver Nuggets Nikola Jokic vs Chicago Bulls (Image via Getty) The Denver Nuggets face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the United Center. Both teams are looking to end three-game losing streaks, and player availability is expected to play a major role in the result.Denver enters the game with the stronger record, while Chicago is trying to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference standings before the All-Star break. Injuries on both sides could affect rotations, defensive matchups, and scoring options.<\/p>\n

Denver Nuggets injury report and availability vs Chicago Bulls (February 7, 2026)<\/p>\n

Denver is dealing with several injuries, mainly affecting its wing and frontcourt depth.Out \u2022 Aaron Gordon – Right hamstring strain; re-evaluation in 4-6 weeks. \u2022 Peyton Watson – Grade 2 right hamstring strain; expected out at least four weeks. \u2022 Spencer Jones – In concussion protocol. \u2022 Tamar Bates – Left foot injury requiring surgery; re-evaluation in 12 weeks.Questionable \u2022 Nikola Joki\u0107 – Left ankle sprain; listed as day-to-day and a game-time decision but expected to play. \u2022 Cameron Johnson – Right knee bone bruise.Probable \/ Day-to-day \u2022 Christian Braun – Left ankle sprain; expected to play but could have limited minutes.If Johnson does not play, Isaiah Todd and Julian Strawther could see more time. The absence of Gordon and Watson removes two important perimeter defenders.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls injury report and roster impact vs Denver Nuggets (February 7, 2026)<\/p>\n

Chicago continues to manage injuries in the backcourt along with long-term frontcourt absences.Out \u2022 Tre Jones – Hamstring strain; expected back no earlier than Feb. 9. \u2022 Josh Giddey – Left hamstring strain; has missed multiple games. \u2022 Zach Collins – Toe injury; not expected before the All-Star break. \u2022 Noa Essengue – Left shoulder surgery; out for the season.Game-time \/ Day-to-day \u2022 Jalen Smith – Calf issue. \u2022 Guerschon Yabusele – Not injury related; expected out through at least Feb. 7. \u2022 Leonard Miller – Not injury related; also expected out through Feb. 7.With Tre Jones and Giddey unavailable, Coby White and Tyus Jones are likely to handle most of the ball. Ayo Dosunmu should not be included in the current lineup following his reported trade to Minnesota. Chicago also has limited depth behind Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets Projected starting lineups<\/p>\n

Nuggets projected lineup<\/p>\n

\u2022 Guards: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun \u2022 Wings: Tim Hardaway Jr., Isaiah Todd \/ Julian Strawther \u2022 Bigs: Nikola Joki\u0107, Jonas Valan\u010di\u016bnasDenver is expected to rely on Murray and Joki\u0107 for offensive creation, with Braun and Hardaway spacing the floor.<\/p>\n

Bulls projected lineup<\/p>\n

\u2022 Guards: Coby White, Tyus Jones \u2022 Wings: Matas Buzelis, Torrey Craig \u2022 Bigs: Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107, Jalen Smith (if available)Vu\u010devi\u0107 is averaging about 16-17 points and nine rebounds this season. Chicago\u2019s defense will depend on how well White and Jones contain Murray and limit passing lanes to Joki\u0107.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets Previous meeting this season<\/p>\n

The teams have played once during the 2025-26 season. \u2022 Nov. 17, 2025 – Bulls 130, Nuggets 127 (OT) \u2022 Bulls leaders: Josh Giddey (21 points), Ayo Dosunmu (21 points) \u2022 Nuggets leader: Nikola Joki\u0107 (36 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists)Chicago kept pace offensively in that game, but Denver maintained strong efficiency.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets Team stats comparison (2025-26)<\/p>\n

CategoryChicago Bulls (24-28)Denver Nuggets (33-19) Points per game 117.0 120.1 Rebounds per game 45.1 42.6 Assists per game 29.5 27.8 Steals per game 7.29 6.90 Blocks per game 5.02 4.21 FG% 47.24% 49.36% 3-Pt% 36.80% 39.45% FT% 78.62% 81.41%Denver leads in scoring efficiency and shooting percentages, while Chicago holds a slight advantage in rebounds and blocks.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets Key storylines<\/p>\n

– Joki\u0107\u2019s ankle: Chicago\u2019s frontcourt plays physically. Joki\u0107\u2019s mobility could influence Denver\u2019s offensive flow.- Chicago\u2019s backcourt injuries: Fewer available guards may reduce defensive pressure on Murray and Braun. If Smith is also unavailable, Denver could have an edge inside.- Ending the losing streak: Both teams need a win before the All-Star break. Denver is positioned higher in the Western Conference, while Chicago is trying to remain above .500.- Perimeter shooting: Denver is shooting 39.45% from three compared to Chicago\u2019s 36.80%. Open perimeter looks could decide the game.Denver enters the matchup as the more efficient team, especially if Joki\u0107 is able to play without major limitations. Chicago still brings size and interior presence but is short on healthy rotation players due to injuries to Tre Jones, Josh Giddey, Zach Collins, and Noa Essengue.Also read: Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight vs the Chicago Bulls? Latest update on the Denver Nuggets star’s injury report (February 7, 2026)<\/a>If Murray and Joki\u0107 control the offense and Denver maintains its shooting efficiency, the Nuggets hold a slight advantage in this matchup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic vs Chicago Bulls (Image via Getty) The Denver Nuggets face the Chicago Bulls on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":589212,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3781],"tags":[75413,7,79155,301,187,62550,3943,6,8889,8245,302],"class_list":{"0":"post-589211","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-denver-nuggets","8":"tag-aaron-gordon-injury-news","9":"tag-basketball","10":"tag-chicago-bulls-injury-list","11":"tag-denver","12":"tag-denver-nuggets","13":"tag-denver-nuggets-vs-chicago-bulls","14":"tag-denvernuggets","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-nba-injury-report","17":"tag-nikola-jokic-injury-update","18":"tag-nuggets"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116031786450501977","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=589211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589211\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/589212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=589211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=589211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=589211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}