Bulls' Williams returns in win over Hornets after 10-game absence

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams was back in the lineup for Friday's 109-95 victory over the Charlotte Hornets after missing 10 games with a foot injury.

Williams, 23, checked into the game near the end of the first quarter. He contributed four points, two rebounds, and two assists in 14 minutes of action.

He was on a minutes restriction, according to CHGO Sports' Will Gottlieb.

All five of the Bulls starters and Lonzo Ball off the bench scored in double-digits. Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 19 points, two rebounds, and four assists.

The Hornets' Brandon Miller put up a game-high 21 points while also adding six boards and three dimes in 38 minutes.

Williams was averaging 9.9 points, five rebounds, and 2.3 assists in his previous 15 games with Chicago this campaign.

The Florida State product hadn't played since Nov. 18 because of inflammation on his surgically repaired left foot. He underwent a procedure to fix an acute bone edema in February, ending his 2023-24 campaign.

Williams signed a five-year, $90-million deal with the Bulls over the offseason.

Nikola Vucevic was also unavailable with an illness while Dalen Terry didn't play versus Charlotte because of a knee bruise, per Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson.

The Bulls now sit at 11-15 after the victory.