WASHINGTON — When Cristiano Felicio stayed ahead of an active Daniel Gafford in the rotation during Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia, coach Jim Boylen said Gafford’s chance would come.
It didn’t Tuesday night.
Despite the Wizards tallying 62 points in the paint and shooting 26-for-34 from the restricted area, an active Gafford sat again. Felicio finished a minus-5 in close to 23 minutes.
Pressed after the Bulls’ 126-114 loss to the Wizards as to why Gafford sat, Boylen danced a dance before admitting that the sprained right ankle Gafford suffered on Feb. 2 in Toronto played a part. After that game, Boylen downplayed a question on whether he regretted using a clearly hobbled Gafford for a second-half rotational stint.
“I thought that he was available, which was good. But I didn’t play him. I just wasn’t going to play him with our two centers,” Boylen said about Tuesday’s decision, referencing Felicio and Luke Kornet.
Asked if Gafford sat because of his health or because he’s behind Felicio in the rotation, Boylen said: “Uh, combination of a couple things. He’s working his way back. He’s available, but he’s working his way back.”
Asked if Gafford will leapfrog Felicio in the rotation when he’s 100 percent, Boylen said: “I don’t know. We’ll figure that out when he gets back to 100 percent.”
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Gafford said he is practicing fully.
“Just trying to get the kinks out, trying to work out soreness. I can move well. I can run the floor well. Everything is good. Just a little bit of swelling. That’s about it,” he said. “I felt good. I wanted to be on the floor. I’m pretty sure they sat me down for a reason. I’m just going to take that and use that as rest going into the break.”
Some of Boylen’s rotational decisions have drawn scrutiny all season.
Coby White’s usage proved the latest example. The rookie’s minutes have steadily increased of late. But Boylen didn’t bite much pregame when asked about the pros and cons of perhaps starting White.
“Uhh, pros and cons. I don’t know I haven’t thought about it like that. I kind of like where he’s at,” Boylen said. “I like what he’s doing for us right now coming off the bench and playing in that role.”
White is one of three Bulls to play in all 55 games. He has yet to start a game. He posted 14 points and seven assists in over 35 minutes against the Wizards.
“[Starting White] is not something that I’m focused on. It’s not something that I think about everyday, that he needs to start. I don’t think he needs that pressure put on him right now,” Boylen said. “I think he needs to play and learn and grow. There are games where he has played starter minutes.”
Boylen said he liked the look of White alongside Zach LaVine and Tomas Satoransky, something he has tried more extensively the last two games.
“Coby has improved immensely,” Boylen said.
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