Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan admits team has been ‘disconnected’

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 1:28 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls started hot, taking a 6-1 record through their first seven games.

But the cracks that were hiding in the surface have been exposed as the Bulls lost their fifth game in a row in a hard-fought 150-147 double-overtime contest against the Utah Jazz in front of 18,186 fans at the Delta Center on Sunday night.

Coby White made his debut against the Jazz. He came off the bench to add 27 points, four rebounds and eight assists in 30 minutes on the court. He showed some rust, shooting only 35.7 percent from the field.

Following the loss, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters in his news conference that the team had been “disconnected” with White out through the first 11 games.

“When you see (White) on his own, not being able to participate in practice, he’s up on a treadmill trying to get himself back,” Donovan said via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times.

“Coming in before practice, after practice, just really kind of disconnected, I think they all, every player that’s been in the league for a while has gone through some sort of injury. So I think on a lot of different levels, they are excited to have him back.”

The Chicago Bulls won’t have Coby White on Monday night

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Apr 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Even with White, the Bulls dropped a game they should have won against a Jazz team that had a 4-8 record entering Sunday’s contest.

Per K.C. Johnson of CHSN, Chicago will not have White when they travel to play the 10-2 Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

“Coby White said he felt stronger as game progressed and that medical, who cleared him for exceeding minute restriction, already has told him he won’t play in Denver,” Johnson posted on X.

Coby White said he felt stronger as game progressed and that medical, who cleared him for exceeding minute restriction, already has told him he won’t play in Denver.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 17, 2025

The Bulls’ loss to the Jazz knocked the team to No. 11 in the weak Eastern Conference standings. They’re currently behind the 7-7 Boston Celtics for the last spot in the Play-In Tournament.

Hopefully, the Bulls will become more connected as White ramps up his time on the court in the coming days. However, Chicago might not be a threat in the conference even with a healthy White.

Mar 31, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) talks to forward Dalen Terry (25) during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: