Bulls' Billy Donovan Addresses Suddenly Complicated Jaden Ivey Situation

Ivey's knee soreness raises concerns as he struggles to find his footing with the Bulls

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:43pm

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Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan addressed the surprising situation surrounding newly acquired guard Jaden Ivey, who was held out of the team's previous game due to a "coaching decision." Donovan revealed that Ivey was not at practice the following day and was undergoing further testing on his knee, as the coach expressed concerns about Ivey's mobility and movement since joining the team.

Why it matters

Ivey, a top-5 draft pick in 2022, was expected to be a key part of the Bulls' future plans. His sudden absence from the lineup and potential injury concerns raise questions about his long-term fit with the team and the overall direction of the Bulls' roster.

The details

Ivey told reporters after the game that he had been dealing with knee soreness, saying "I'm not the same player as I used to be" and that "the old J.I. is dead." Donovan later clarified that Ivey was available to play, but the coaching staff felt he was not moving well. Ivey had appeared in 33 straight games for the Detroit Pistons before the trade, though his minutes had been limited.

  • On February 14, Billy Donovan's father, Bill Donovan, passed away.
  • On February 16, the Bulls suffered their seventh consecutive loss, with Jaden Ivey held out of the game.
  • On February 17, Jaden Ivey did not attend Bulls practice and was undergoing further testing on his knee.

The players

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who was dealing with the recent passing of his father and the complicated situation surrounding newly acquired guard Jaden Ivey.

Jaden Ivey

A top-5 draft pick in 2022 who was recently traded to the Chicago Bulls, but has been dealing with knee soreness and a sudden change in his playing time and performance.

Wes Unseld Jr.

The interim head coach of the Chicago Bulls who made the decision to hold Jaden Ivey out of the team's previous game.

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What they’re saying

“I've been dealing with knee soreness in my knee. I'm sure people can call it out. I'm not the same player as I used to be. That's why. I'm not the J.I. I used to be. The old J.I. is dead. I'm alive in Christ, no matter what the basketball setting is. I'm born again.”

— Jaden Ivey (CHGO)

“Seeing him early in his career in Detroit, coming back I think for him, in my opinion, he's not moving like he once did. I know maybe he mentioned after the game he was dealing with some soreness in his knee. I don't know how much it's affecting him. He was definitely available to play, nothing has kept him out with his knee. But today he wasn't here. He's getting checked out to see if everything is ok. He was available to play, it was a coaching decision last night.”

— Billy Donovan, Head Coach, Chicago Bulls (N/A)

What’s next

The Bulls will continue to monitor Jaden Ivey's knee injury and his progress as he adjusts to his new team. The team will likely provide an update on his status and availability for upcoming games.

The takeaway

Jaden Ivey's sudden knee issues and struggles to find his footing with the Bulls raise concerns about his long-term fit with the team and the overall direction of the roster. The Bulls will need to carefully manage Ivey's health and development as they look to build a contending team around their young core.