Noa Essengue Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bulls vs Hornets game on Friday with our National Basketball Association injury report.Nov 22, 2025
Recalled by Chicago
The Bulls recalled Essengue from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Essengue totaled 22 points (7-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT) along with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 31 minutes during the Windy City Bulls' 156-128 loss to the Iowa Wolves on Friday. He'll be with the parent club for Saturday's game against the Wizards, though the rookie first-rounder has yet to make his NBA regular-season debut.
Nov 21, 2025
Assigned to G League
Chicago assigned Essengue to the G League's Windy City Bulls on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Essengue has yet to make his NBA debut and will continue to see reps in the G League for the foreseeable future.
Nov 14, 2025
Recalled from G League
Chicago recalled Essengue from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Essengue went off in his G League debut Tuesday, producing 28 points (11-21 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 29 minutes. He's yet to make his NBA debut, however, as the Bulls continue to bring him along slowly.
Nov 11, 2025
Recalled to NBA
Chicago recalled Essengue from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Essengue was sent down for a practice and was immediately recalled by the NBA club. The rookie has yet to log a single minute at the NBA level.
Nov 10, 2025
Recalled to NBA
Chicago recalled Essengue from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Essengue hasn't made his NBA debut yet and is likely to be back with Windy City before long.
Oct 23, 2025
Doesn't see floor in season opener
Essengue didn't play during Wednesday's 115-111 win over the Pistons.
ANALYSIS
The Bulls appear to be bringing the rookie first-rounder along slowly, as he was unable to crack the Opening Night rotation. Chicago could be better served sending Essengue to the G League's Windy City Bulls so that he can get consistent reps and development time, but the parent club could opt to keep him around while Zach Collins (knee) is sidelined.
Oct 8, 2025
Scores eight points Tuesday
Essengue produced eight points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and two turnovers in 14 minutes of Tuesday's 118-117 preseason win over the Cavaliers.
ANALYSIS
Essengue sat out Chicago's final two Summer League games due to a quadriceps issue, but he had zero restrictions throughout camp. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft appeared in three Summer League outings with averages of 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals, and he carried that momentum into the preseason. There's been some talk about Essengue spending some time in the G League with the Bulls looking to bring him along slowly, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep making a case for an early-season role.
Oct 5, 2025
Full participant in practice Sunday
Essengue (quadriceps) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Essengue sat out Chicago's final two Summer League games due to a quadriceps issue, though he's expected to be ready for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Cavaliers. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft appeared in three Summer League outings, during which he averaged 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 41.9 percent from the field across 24.9 minutes per game. Essengue may struggle to carve out a role with the Bulls immediately, as he's competing for minutes with Julian Phillips behind Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams.
Jul 18, 2025
Idle for SL finale
Essengue (quadriceps) will not play in Friday's Summer League game against the Jazz, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Essengue will miss the Bulls' final Summer League game Friday due to a lingering right quadriceps contusion. The No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft flashed potential this summer, highlighted by a 21-point outing with three made threes in his last appearance Monday against the Pacers.
Jul 16, 2025
Sidelined with quadriceps issue
Essengue (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Summer League game against the Bucks, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Essengue will sit out Wednesday's game due to a right quadriceps contusion, though he's considered day-to-day. The rookie is coming off a strong showing Monday against the Pacers, when he scored 21 points and buried three triples. His next opportunity to play will be Friday against the Jazz.
Jul 14, 2025
Cashes trio of threes
Essengue totaled 21 points (7-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 31 minutes in Monday's 114-105 Summer League win over the Pacers.
ANALYSIS
Essengue exited Saturday's game early with a quadriceps injury but returned Monday and went the distance to finish with over 20 points. Outside shooting was viewed as a question mark for him entering the 2025 NBA Draft, so knocking down three three-pointers is an encouraging sign of potential growth.
Jul 14, 2025
Cleared for Monday
Essengue (quadriceps) will play in Monday's Summer League game against the Pacers, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Essengue exited Saturday's game against the Kings early with a quadriceps injury after recording a double-double with 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-7 FT) and 10 rebounds. The clean bill of health is a relief for the Bulls, who selected him No. 12 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft out of France.
Jul 12, 2025
Double-doubles in loss
Essengue (quadriceps) finished with 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block across 19 minutes during Saturday's Summer League 109-92 loss to the Kings.
ANALYSIS
Essengue was unable to finish Saturday's game in Las Vegas, as he suffered a quadriceps injury, resulting in only 19 minutes on the floor. However, that was long enough to record a double-double, as he put in the work on the glass and in the scoring column. He ripped down a team-high 10 rebounds before being ruled out for the rest of the game.
Jul 12, 2025
Suffer leg injury
Essengue (leg) is back on the bench after going to the locker room to get his right leg checked out during Saturday's Summer League game against the Kings, Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Essengue logged 19 minutes before suffering the apparent right leg injury. He racked up a double-double during that time, with 12 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. It remains uncertain whether he'll return to Saturday's game.
Jun 25, 2025
Lands with Chicago
Essengue was selected by the Bulls with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
ANALYSIS
Essengue is a polarizing prospect with projections varying widely across the first round, but the Bulls were drawn to his athletic upside. Still just 18 years old, the forward showcased his speed and explosiveness in Europe this season, averaging 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 56.0 percent over 18 games. Though still raw and in need of development as a shooter (29.4 percent from three), Essengue's potential was too enticing for Chicago to pass up. The Bulls hope Essengue can grow alongside 2024 first-round pick Matas Buzelis.
Download the app