Bulls forward Patrick Williams to return Monday

Bulls forward Patrick Williams will return Monday after missing most of the season with torn ligaments in his left wrist, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Williams, who underwent surgery in late October, may play in both ends of a back-to-back against the Raptors and Bucks, adds K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. The Bulls are eager to get playing time for Williams over the final three weeks of the regular season.

He was cleared for full contact earlier this week and has been practicing with the team’s Windy City G League affiliate. 

Williams hasn’t played since he suffered the injury in an October 28 game when he was hit by the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson on a drive to the basket. There were originally fears that Williams might be sidelined for the entire season, but he was able to return in less than five months.

The No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, Williams became an instant starter in Chicago, providing a steady defensive presence at power forward. Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr. have played well in his absence, and coach Billy Donovan indicated recently that he won’t rush Williams back into the starting lineup.