Chicago Bulls rookie Patrick Williams was a late scratch from the lineup on Martin Luther King Jr. Day versus the Houston Rockets due to a right hip contusion.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said prior to the contest that Williams suffered the injury on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks. Williams felt fine on Monday morning, according to Donovan, but experienced some tightness and stiffness.
Williams was added onto the injury report and was listed as questionable to play but was eventually ruled out of playing in the contest, which is the first game missed this season for the fourth overall pick. Garrett Temple earned the start in place of Williams.
Williams has emerged as a key player with the Bulls and started in each of the previous 13 games to this point of the season. He is averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.9 minutes per game on 50% shooting (14-of-28) from 3-point range.
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