The Bulls may be severely shorthanded in their game against the Knicks.

As if the Chicago Bulls’ evening wasn’t bad enough following their 110-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, it got worse with the news of Patrick Williams’ injured ankle, which places his availability for the game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday in doubt.

Aggravated injury
The Bulls got pounded early by the Sixers, who got off to an early first-quarter lead and never looked back. With the starters outplayed, Bulls coach Billy Donovan yanked Williams out of the game after the young forward committed a turnover and fouled Sixers wingman Kelly Oubre at the 8:28 mark.

However, after the game, Donovan clarified that the decision to sub Williams out wasn’t because of his play but his noticeable limited movement. He played some more but eventually checked out for good with 4:22 remaining in the first half. The Florida State product finished the game with only three points and a rebound in 11 minutes.

Tweaked it last week
Williams revealed that he had tweaked his ankle in the match against the Indiana Pacers last week and then tried to play through it in their previous game against the Sixers last weekend.

“A lot of times, just the adrenaline of the game or when your body gets going, it starts to loosen up,” Williams said.

“This time, it didn’t. Trying to be smart about it. The ankle or lower extremities is nothing to play with.”

Williams was an iron man last season, playing in all 82 regular season games. He vowed to do everything he could to play on Wednesday versus the Knicks.