Patrick Williams is preparing to return to the court — potentially as soon as Friday against the Charlotte Hornets — for the first time since Nov. 18. In the process, the Chicago Bulls forward is looking to recapture the promising rhythm he had established in a handful of games before his injury absence.
Williams participated in full-contact scrimmaging during practice Wednesday at the Advocate Center. Forward Julian Phillips noted that Williams was comfortable enough to throw down a few dunks in the scrimmage. Guard Coby White said Williams had a “spring in his step” that energized his teammates, who are eager to regain the defensive versatility the forward provides as they struggle to slow opponents.
“Patrick looked great,” White said. “He was very aggressive, got downhill a lot, got to his spots a lot, didn’t miss a step, stronger than ever. Everybody was talking about how they forget how strong he is when he’s out there, bumping you, going to the basket. Everybody loved what they saw from him today. He was super confident, which I loved.”
Williams, 26, has missed 10 games since suffering swelling and discomfort in his left foot, a byproduct of a March surgery to address a bone edema.
This was not an unexpected result. Surgery recovery was lengthy, and Williams wasn’t able to play any 5-on-5 basketball this summer, which meant he entered preseason still relatively rusty from a long layoff. The only treatment was rest, which meant Williams spent 10 days with the foot fully immobilized.
From there, the Bulls tested Williams’ readiness in stages — stationary cycling, swimming, then ramping up on an antigravity treadmill that controls how much of his body weight impacts his lower body. Williams started at zero on the treadmill, then worked his way up to 100%. After that, it was straight-ahead sprints on the court, followed by full-speed basketball drills to test his lateral movement.
After all the work, Williams is pain-free and prepared to play. The biggest challenge remaining, he said, is rebuilding his stamina to sustain the breakneck pace at which the Bulls are playing offense this season.
The Bulls play at the fastest pace in the NBA. And as a stretch player who operates at the wing on offense and in the post on defense, Williams is asked to push his body as much as any player on the court. It will take time for him to feel fully comfortable at this speed again.
Coach Billy Donovan said Williams’ availability is contingent on how he performs in practice Thursday and responds Friday morning ahead of the game against the Hornets. If Williams is cleared to play, he will be under a minutes restriction.
“I don’t think that anything I did off the court — other than playing the way we play — gets you ready for that,” Williams said. “That being said, I did everything else in my power that I could.”
Before the injury, Williams seemed to have figured something out.
This is a common refrain surrounding the fifth-year forward, who has been trying to establish himself since he was drafted with the fourth pick in the 2020 draft. Some parts of his game are undeniable — his 3-point shooting accuracy, his ability to switch as a defender. But a lack of perceived aggressiveness attacking the rim paired with a dearth of rebounding has left Williams in a no-man’s land between being promising and making an impact.
But the new style of offense seems to benefit how Williams wants to play. His rebounds were trending upward, resulting in a double-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers. And his physicality off the dribble was opening up the paint for a Bulls team still desperately seeking scoring from inside the arc.
Williams hopes to recapture that comfort when he rejoins his teammates on the court.
“It was just playing my game,” Williams said. “I know what I bring to the game — making plays off the dribble, shooting my shots when they’re open. I don’t think it’s anything special or new that I was doing. I just got back in a rhythm. I’m just ready to get back out there.”
