Patrick Williams (groin) downgraded to out vs. WAS

Williams, who missed Saturday’s loss to the Wizards, was a DNP-CD in Chicago’s first two games. If he’s healthy enough to play on Monday, the former lottery pick is unlikely to get the minutes needed to be fantasy-relevant.

Williams, a DNP-CD in Chicago’s first two games of the season, is on the injury report with right adductor/groin soreness and tightness. His availability won’t affect fantasy basketball, as he hasn’t been in head coach Tiago Splitter’s rotation.

Essengue was initially listed as probable for this game, but his status has been downgraded. Patrick Williams (groin) has been added to the injury report as questionable, though he would be in line for extra minutes if he plays and Essengue doesn’t. Rookie Dailyn Swain is another option to take on more minutes if both Essengue and Williams are out.

Williams was initially listed as probable and has now officially been cleared to suit up. He has had a couple productive outings recently, but he struggled in 27 minutes on Friday. He’ll look to bounce back in this one.

Of the three, Sexton has been the most impactful in fantasy basketball. He’s the one who needs to be rostered in active fantasy leagues for Sunday’s finale. Olbrich has moved into the starting lineup with Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards out for the season, most recently grabbing nine rebounds in Friday’s loss to the Magic. As for Williams, the former lottery pick logged 27 minutes on Friday, scoring eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Okoro will miss a second straight game with this quad contusion he suffered on Tuesday. Patrick Williams took on a larger role with Okoro unavailable and has had arguably his best two-game stretch of the season. Williams will continue to play increased minutes.

Yabsuele suffered a sprained left shoulder during Thursday’s game, ending his night after 16 minutes of play. He finished with five points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer. Yabusele’s absence frees up additional minutes for Patrick Williams and Lachlan Olbrich.

Williams will make just his fifth start of the season, replacing Isaac Okoro in the opening lineup. Chicago’s victory over Washington on Tuesday snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Bulls will have a chance to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since January.

Okoro exited Tuesday’s win over the Wizards during the first half with a left quad contusion and did not return. His absence could push Patrick Williams into the starting lineup. A disappointment for most of this season, Williams scored 20 points on Tuesday.

Williams hadn’t played at least 30 minutes in a game since the middle of February, but picked up minutes in the second half with Isaac Okoro (quad) sidelined. The 24-year-old forward led the Bulls with 32 minutes played and was arguably the best player one the floor Tuesday. Williams had an excellent game that came complete with a full stat line. It’s the kind of performance the Bulls envisioned him having regularly when he was drafted fourth overall in 2020, but have only occasionally seen from Williams.