The right ankle strain is still an issue for Williams, but the hope is he can return on Thursday. The fourth-year player once again searching for consistency? That’s an on-going process.
CLEVELAND – Patrick Williams first has to find his way back from a right ankle strain that has been keeping him sidelined.
He did try warming up before the game with the Cavaliers, but the decision was made to give it at least until Thursday in Toronto.
Once that obstacle is in the rearview mirror then Williams can try and find his way back to consistency.
That’s been a bit trickier for the fourth-year Bulls forward.
He continued taking strides in that area, evident by his December when Zach LaVine and Torrey Craig were sidelined with injuries, and Nikola Vucevic also went down for a spell.
All Williams did was average 33 minutes per game, putting up 14.1 points and grabbing 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 52.1% from the field and 50% from three-point range, mostly as a starter.
But with LaVine and Vucevic back, and Williams returning to his bench role, six points per game, 2.6 rebounds, and now the injury.
The map has changed, and Williams again has to get out the compass and find a direction.
“Obviously being without Zach for a while, Vooch was out for a bit, and certain guys had to step up,” Williams said on Monday. “We took care of that and we handled our business doing that, but just because those guys are back it’s still on me and everyone else to continue playing like we were before and understanding that’s when we’re at our best. It’s about finding those opportunities again, understanding where they come from.
“When guys are out – All-Star-caliber guys – it finds you through the way we’re playing, the offense that we have. Now it’s ‘OK, those guys are back,’ but still finding those opportunities even when the touches go down. It gets back to offensive rebounding, transition points, catch-and-shooting, just be in as many actions as possible.”
And be in the right headspace. That’s where veteran DeMar DeRozan comes in. Like he has throughout his stay with the Bulls, DeRozan has no problem playing mental sensei for Williams.
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