The matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks on February 3, 2026, was heavily impacted by injuries on both sides, leaving each team without several key contributors. This contest came amid a chaotic NBA trade deadline period (with the deadline approaching on February 5), roster shakeups, and ongoing recovery timelines for prominent players. Notably, Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remained sidelined, while Chicago’s backcourt depth took hits from Josh Giddey and Tre Jones being unavailable due to hamstring issues.
The game itself saw the Bucks snap a five-game losing streak with a convincing 131-115 victory over the short-handed Bulls, but the injury absences shaped the strategies, rotations, and overall competitiveness. Below is a detailed breakdown of the injury report leading into and for that game, including statuses, injury details, expected returns where known, and broader context on how these absences affected both teams. This analysis draws from official NBA reports, team announcements, and media coverage around the February 3 contest.
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report (vs. Chicago Bulls, Feb. 3, 2026)
The Bucks entered the game dealing with a mix of long-term and short-term issues, compounded by trade speculation surrounding their franchise cornerstone. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and perennial All-NBA talent, has been one of the league’s most dominant forces, but his absence created a massive void in scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Forward) – OUT (Right Calf Strain) This marked Giannis’s fourth consecutive missed game (sidelined since January 23). The injury occurred in a game against the Denver Nuggets, and while Giannis reportedly self-estimated a 4-6 week recovery, head coach Doc Rivers emphasized no firm timetable. Antetokounmpo participated in light shootarounds and rehab sessions (including a 30-minute on-court workout before the Bulls game), but he was held out to avoid aggravation. His dominance in prior matchups against Chicago this season made his absence particularly felt—the Greek Freak had torched the Bulls for high-efficiency outputs in the first two head-to-heads. Amid swirling trade rumors (with rival teams aggressively pursuing him ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline), this injury added uncertainty to his future in Milwaukee. The Bucks managed without him, leaning on improved ball movement and contributions from players like Kyle Kuzma (who scored 31 points in the win).
- Gary Harris (Guard) – OUT (Left Hamstring Strain) Harris, a veteran perimeter defender and shooter, was ruled out and expected to miss at least a couple more games beyond February 3. His absence thinned Milwaukee’s wing depth, forcing reliance on others for perimeter defense and spacing.
- Kevin Porter Jr. (Guard) – OUT (Right Oblique Strain) Porter missed his fifth straight game. Coach Rivers noted post-game that Porter was “getting close” and could potentially return as early as February 4 (vs. Pelicans) or more likely February 6 (vs. Pacers). His playmaking and scoring off the bench were missed in a game where Milwaukee needed secondary creation.
- Taurean Prince (Forward) – OUT (Neck Surgery Recovery) Prince remained sidelined following neck surgery, a longer-term absence affecting frontcourt rotation and veteran leadership.
- Bobby Portis (Forward) – OUT (Right Hip Contusion) Portis was questionable earlier but ultimately ruled out. His energy, rebounding, and interior scoring were notable absences, though the Bucks coped by spreading minutes elsewhere.
Other notes: Players like Alex Antetokounmpo were out due to G-League/two-way assignments, but not injury-related. The Bucks’ depleted roster highlighted their resilience in securing the win, but Giannis’s ongoing absence fueled speculation about a potential blockbuster trade.
Chicago Bulls Injury Report (at Milwaukee Bucks, Feb. 3, 2026)
The Bulls were arguably hit harder in terms of sheer numbers, with eight players listed on the injury report at various points. Recent trades (including acquisitions like Anfernee Simons, Mike Conley, and Jaden Ivey in multi-team deals) added roster flux, but injuries to rotation pieces left Chicago extremely short-handed—needing only eight available players per league rules, they scraped by but struggled offensively.
- Josh Giddey (Guard) – OUT (Left Hamstring Strain) Giddey, acquired in prior offseason moves for his playmaking and near-triple-double potential, missed his fourth consecutive game. The lingering hamstring issue had previously sidelined him for 11 straight in January, limiting him to just 34 appearances. At 6’7″ with elite passing vision, his absence hurt Chicago’s ball-handling and transition game, especially against a Bucks team pushing pace.
- Tre Jones (Guard) – OUT (Left Hamstring Strain) Jones, a reliable backup point guard known for floor generalship and defense, was also out with a hamstring strain. Initial expectations pegged him for 2+ weeks, though there was brief hope of an upgrade to questionable pre-game (ultimately ruled out). His steadiness was missed in a backcourt depleted by other absences.
- Zach Collins (Forward/Center) – OUT (Right 1st Toe Sprain) Collins, providing frontcourt depth and shooting, remained sidelined. Recovery appeared to point toward later in February or beyond.
- Noa Essengue (Forward) – OUT (Left Shoulder Surgery) A longer-term recovery from shoulder surgery kept the young forward out indefinitely.
- Dario Saric (Forward) – OUT (Not with Team) Recently acquired from the Sacramento Kings, Saric had yet to join the Bulls roster/organization fully, so he was unavailable.
Questionable players who were game-time decisions or impacted:
- Kevin Huerter (Guard/Forward) – QUESTIONABLE (Lower Back Spasms) → Status varied, but contributed if cleared.
- Julian Phillips (Forward) – QUESTIONABLE (Right Wrist Sprain) → Day-to-day, potential limited minutes.
- Jalen Smith (Forward/Center) – QUESTIONABLE (Right Calf Injury Management) → Missed time due to cramping/tightness, in danger of extended absence.
Additional context: Trades brought in new pieces like Simons (from a Vucevic deal) and others, but integration was complicated by the injury bug. The Bulls’ depth chart was strained, leading to heavy minutes for available starters and reserves in a lopsided loss.
Broader Impact and Context
Both teams navigated significant adversity. Milwaukee’s win without Giannis showed their depth and adjustments under Doc Rivers, but the calf injury—combined with trade drama—cast a shadow over the franchise’s direction. For Chicago, the absences of Giddey and Jones exacerbated backcourt issues post-trades, contributing to defensive lapses and offensive stagnation.
Injuries like hamstrings (Giddey, Jones, Harris) are notoriously tricky, often requiring cautious ramp-up to prevent re-injury. Calf strains (Giannis) demand similar patience to avoid chronic problems. As the trade deadline loomed, these reports influenced negotiations—teams eyeing Giannis weighed his health, while Chicago managed a rebuild/transitional phase.
This game exemplified the 2025-26 season’s volatility: star absences, mid-season deals, and injury clusters reshaping outcomes. The Bucks’ victory provided momentum, while the Bulls focused on health and integration moving forward.
