Coby White Drops Career-High to Power Bulls’ Stunning Win – Full Highlights & Key Stats

CHICAGO – After a frustrating three-month layoff, Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is finally cleared to suit up, and his return could be the jolt a middling Bulls offense desperately needs. Team officials confirmed that White will log his first minutes of the 2025-26 season tonight in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz, with head coach Billy Donovan planning a 24-minute cap as the 25-year-old works back from the right-calf strain that derailed his preseason. White practiced without restriction on Friday and Saturday alongside back-court partner Josh Giddey, who is also expected to play after a two-game absence due to an ankle sprain. The Bulls enter Sunday at 6-5, ranking just 22nd in offensive rating. That’s a stark contrast to last year, when White’s breakout—20.4 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game on career-best 45.3 percent shooting—helped Chicago stay afloat after the mid-season trade of Zach LaVine. With LaVine gone for good and Nikola Vučević in the final year of his deal, Donovan will hand White the keys as primary scorer while Giddey orchestrates. White’s return also starts the clock on an intriguing contract subplot. Because of CBA limits, Chicago can only offer an extension worth about $113 million over four years—well below the market rate for a 25-year-old guard who just posted a 59 true-shooting percentage. Both sides have said the relationship remains strong and talks are expected to resume next July, but rival front offices are circling, aware that White will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if no deal is reached. On-court fit will be the first data point. Donovan used training camp to install more early-clock hand-offs designed to spring White downhill, and pairing him with the 6-8 Giddey should hide some of his defensive limitations against bigger wings. The Jazz, meanwhile, rank sixth in pace, setting up a baptism by fire for a Bulls backcourt that hasn’t shared a single preseason minute. White has historically torched Utah—18.7 points per game on 40 percent three-point shooting in seven career meetings—and the organization is optimistic his shot will translate quickly after what teammate Patrick Williams called “the best rehab-shape I’ve ever seen him in.” Long term, Chicago’s playoff hopes hinge on White rediscovering the rhythm that made him one of only five guards league-wide to average 20-4-4 with 90 percent free-throw accuracy last season. Short term, the Bulls just need buckets. If White delivers them tonight—and stays healthy—the franchise narrative could shift from trade-deadline seller to Eastern Conference dark horse in a hurry. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET; fans in Chicago can watch on NBC Sports Chicago or stream via NBA League Pass.