The Brooklyn Nets faced the Chicago Bulls without key forward Cam Johnson, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle. Johnson had been performing well this season, averaging a career-high 18.1 points per game before his injury.

Brooklyn's coach, Jordi Fernandez, expressed a cautious optimism about Johnson's condition, noting that he is day-to-day. The team has been significantly impacted by injuries, leading to frequent lineup changes as they adapt to the circumstances.