Phillips (foot) said Sunday that he's completed his rehab and feels 100 percent, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com reports. Phillips missed the Bulls' final 18 games with a right midfoot sprain, but he seems to be fully recovered. Phillips appeared in 40 games for Chicago as a rookie, averaging 2.2 points over 8.1 minutes.
Ball (knee) has picked up the $21.4 million player option in his contract for the 2024-25 season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Ball continues to work toward a potential comeback before he hits the open market next summer, as he signed an original four-year, $80 million free agent deal in 2021, so it was a no-brainer for him to pick up this option. Ball hasn't logged minutes at the NBA level since Jan. 2022, but both the player and the organization are hopeful he'll be able to step on the hardwood at some point during the 2024-25 campaign.
Vucevic notched 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 14 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game loss to the Heat. Vucevic turned in a valiant effort in Friday's elimination game, but the Heat cruised to a big victory with the help of Tyler Herro and Jamie Jaquez. Vucevic was held in check offensively along with the rest of the Chicago squad, as the Bulls were held to 91 points on 38.0 percent shooting from the field. The 33-year-old closed the season with four consecutive double-doubles.
DeRozan ended Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game loss to the Heat with 22 points (8-16 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes. DeRozan did his part as his squad looked to advance to the opening round of the postseason, knocking down 50.0 percent of his tries from the field while contributing on the defensive end. He went on an impressive run to end the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 29.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals over his last six appearances.
Dosunmu (quad) is available for Friday's Play-In Game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. Despite missing the final four games of the regular season, Dosunmu played 41 minutes in Wednesday's Play-In victory over Atlanta, putting up 19 points, three assists, two blocks and a rebound. After playing over 40 minutes Wednesday, the Bulls are not expected to limit the 24-year-old's minutes, especially in a win-or-go-home scenario.
Caruso (ankle) is available for Friday's Play-In Game against Miami. There was initial concern regarding the severity of Caruso's ankle injury that he suffered Wednesday against Atlanta, but he was examined further Thursday, which showed reduced swelling. He said Friday morning that he expected to play against the Heat, and he's officially been cleared to suit up in the win-or-go-home matchup. Over his six appearances this month, he's averaged 8.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 32.3 minutes per game.
Drummond (ankle) is available for Friday's Play-In Game against the Heat, Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune reports. Drummond missed the final three games of the regular season with a left ankle sprain but returned to action for Wednesday's victory over Atlanta, putting up four points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 11 minutes. In a win-or-go-home scenario, the Bulls may limit Drummond's playing time again, especially if Nikola Vucevic stays out of foul trouble.
Caruso (ankle), who is questionable for Friday's Play-In Game against the Heat, said that he expects to play in the matchup, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports. Caruso was initially believed to have a significant left ankle sprain, but he experienced reduced swelling Thursday. It appears increasingly likely that the 30-year-old will be available for Friday's win-or-go-home matchup, but the Bulls will likely continue to monitor him in the hours leading up to tipoff.