The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls meet again on January 14, 2026, with a pile of injuries shaping the story just as much as the matchup. Chicago is coming off a loss to Houston. Utah just bounced back by beating Cleveland after a big stumble against Charlotte. And yes, this is the sequel to that wild 150–147 double-overtime game on November 16, 2025. The names from that thriller matter again tonight, but so do the bodies on the sideline.

Final injury report: who is in, who is out?

The headline note is the late movement around Utah’s leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen (27.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 APG). As reports summarized: “Markkanen was absent from Utah’s injury report a day prior to gameday, but later popped up as questionable before being downgraded to doubtful.” That alone could tilt the game plan for both teams. He dropped 47 points on Chicago in the November meeting, so his status is massive.

On the Bulls’ side, Josh Giddey remains out. “Giddey suffered a hamstring strain in Chicago’s penultimate game of 2025, with a re-evaluation date initially set for January 13.” He posted a 26-13-13 triple-double the last time he faced the Jazz, but Chicago will have to find that playmaking elsewhere.

There is better news for the Bulls with Coby White. “White sat out Chicago’s Monday matchup with the Houston Rockets due to “right calf injury management,” doing so in order to play in the latter half of the back-to-back.” The plan worked toward availability for tonight, and Chicago will need his scoring and control in crunch time after his 27-point night (14-for-14 at the line) in the first meeting.

Chicago will still be short-handed. “Collins is dealing with a first toe sprain that is more serious than initially believed.” The Bulls are also without Essengue (shoulder). Forward Phillips was listed as questionable or day-to-day in some reports, reflecting the late-hour inconsistencies that often pop up on multi-source injury pages.

Utah’s frontcourt has its own gaps. The Jazz list Walker Kessler (shoulder), Love (rest), and Niang (foot) as out. Those losses stretch the rotation around Markkanen’s status. If he cannot go, Utah will lean even harder on its guards and wings.

“If Markkanen sits, can George carry the Jazz on the road?”

Chicago’s rotation puzzle without Josh Giddey

No Giddey means more on-ball work for guards and wings. That starts with Coby White, who has been a steady closer and a confident attacker. Rookie Matas Buzelis is tracking around 17 points per game and gives the Bulls length and shot-making on the wing. And Tre Jones is coming off a spark plug outing: 34 points on 11-for-12 shooting with five threes against Houston. Chicago will want him to keep that rhythm as a secondary creator and downhill threat.

The Bulls are 4–6 over their last 10 games (109.9 PPG, 46.7 RPG, 28.7 APG, 45.5% FG). The rebounding number is solid, and with Utah missing size, the glass could be a real edge. Without Giddey’s passing, however, Chicago has to keep the ball moving to reach that 28+ assists zone.

“Coby saved his legs for this—now he has to set the tone.”

Utah’s outlook: Keyonte George is heating up

With or without Markkanen, Keyonte George is trending up. He’s averaged 21.3 points over his last 10 games, and he lit up Chicago for 33 in November. As one note framed it: “The Bulls have to take care of a stocking-up George, who averaged 21.3 points over 10 games.” If Markkanen is limited or out, Utah will count on George’s pace, pull-up game, and pressure to create shots for others.

Utah is also 4–6 across its last 10 (116.8 PPG, 42.1 RPG, 30.3 APG, 47.9% FG). That assist number suggests good ball movement. The challenge is making it travel. The Jazz are rebuilding and have had road struggles, so taking care of the ball and winning the shot-quality battle is key.

“No Giddey changes everything; Tre Jones has to be that guy again.”

What changed since the 150–147 double-OT classic?

November’s game was a star show. Lauri Markkanen was unstoppable with 47. Keyonte George splashed 33. Coby White drilled his free throws (14-for-14) and kept the Bulls alive. Tonight, the context is different: Giddey is out; Markkanen is trending doubtful; and both benches are thinner.

That likely moves the pressure to role players. For Chicago, Jones, Buzelis, and the frontcourt committee will need to chip in. For Utah, more creation falls to George and the wings, plus whoever can clean the glass with Kessler out.

Numbers to watch: tempo, threes, and the stripe

• Free throws: White’s perfect night at the line in November mattered. With tight rotations, taking easy points matters even more. Expect Chicago to hunt contact.
• Threes: Utah shot well in the first meeting, and George’s confidence from deep has grown. Chicago must close out without fouling.
• Rebounding: Bulls’ 46.7 boards per game over the last 10 is a quiet weapon. Without Kessler, the Jazz must gang rebound.
• Ball movement: Utah’s 30.3 assists per game is a strength. Can the Jazz keep that flow if Markkanen sits?

The human part: energy, travel, and late updates

This is the second night of a back-to-back for Chicago. The Bulls rested White on Monday to have him ready for tonight, and that choice signals how much this game means to them. Utah, meanwhile, has mixed form on the road and a star in late limbo. Expect more status nudges near tip if Markkanen goes through warmups.

Injury reports this week have not always matched line for line. That happens. Listings for Markkanen, White, and Phillips showed differences (questionable, doubtful, day-to-day, or available) across sources. What’s firm is this: Chicago is without Giddey, Collins, and Essengue; Utah is without Kessler, Love, and Niang. Those are big pieces. Coaches will adjust on the fly.

Bottom line: opportunity knocks for next men up

If Markkanen plays, Utah gets a go-to scorer who already torched Chicago this season. If he doesn’t, the Jazz lean even more on a rising Keyonte George to keep the offense humming. For the Bulls, Coby White is the heartbeat tonight, with Tre Jones and Matas Buzelis offering needed punch. The last time these teams met, the stars delivered an instant classic. This time, with so many injuries, it may be the role players who decide it late.

Either way, part two is here. Expect a tight score, a lot of whistles, and another night where small margins make the difference.