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With a little more than four minutes left in the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls’ 111-110 home win on Wednesday over the Charlotte Hornets, Ayo Dosunmu dove for a steal against Hornets forward Gordon Hayward.

At 23 years old, Dosunmu’s spry legs and spirited hustle were no match for Hayward, 10 years his senior. While Dosunmu secured the ball from his backside, Hayward swatted at it while bending over him. Dosunmu squirted the ball to Coby White, who pounded one dribble up the floor before firing a laser pass to Julian Phillips, who used one dribble to coast in for a reverse layup through two Hornets defenders.

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The play looked like a glimpse into the future — the Bulls’ young guns growing before our eyes, combining to create highlights that thrill the United Center crowd.

The rookie in transition 👀@NBCSChicago | @ju1ianphillips pic.twitter.com/8AtjGfjqJj

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 7, 2023

It’s no longer necessary to wait.

After the Bulls celebrated their third consecutive win, the team announced Zach LaVine will remain sidelined for three to four weeks with right foot inflammation. A four-week timeline would cost him the next 13 games. LaVine, the team’s second-leading scorer and it’s safe to say disgruntled star, has already missed four games, including the past three.

In his absence, the Bulls have become reliant on their youth.

White, the team’s fifth-year point guard, has an increased role as the conductor on offense. Patrick Williams, the still streaky fourth-year forward, has space to show who he is as a scorer. Dosunmu, who already was slicing into top free agent signing Jevon Carter’s minutes, will get an even bigger chunk. Phillips, the insanely athletic rookie second-round pick, and Dalen Terry, last year’s first-round selection, will get to play rather than develop in the minors with Windy City, the Bulls’ G League team.

“We need everybody,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “(Nikola Vučević) gets a lot of attention. Zach gets a lot of attention. So does DeMar. But when we can move the ball, those guys have got to have the confidence and belief that they can make the next play. And I think this situation where they’ve been thrust into that has been good for them. I think it’s been good for their development. It’s helped them.”

White shared one specific way.

“I think it’s given us a lot of confidence,” he said. “Obviously with Zach out and being that caliber of player that he is, it allows for more opportunity. But you can’t replace Zach LaVine. We just try to do it as a collective and try to make up for what he does on the floor.”

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Here’s a closer look at the five, fifth-year-and-under players the Bulls will turn to in LaVine’s absence.

Coby White

Biggest strength: Spot-up shooting.
Biggest weakness: Defense.

What to watch for: How much better will he become at leading the team offensively? White wants to solidify himself as a starting point guard and an extended stretch without LaVine naturally places more onus on White. He must be better than ever as a shooter, slasher, passer and organizer. He’s off to a good start this season. White was playing well before his shot started falling. He was attacking the paint, orchestrating drive-and-kick opportunities, finishing at the rim, taking care of the ball and battling defensively with multiple efforts on the perimeter and in the post. He’s starting to put it all together. Can he be consistent for a prolonged period?

Billy Donovan’s take: “I think Coby back then (in his rookie season), his mindset was just totally on scoring. And I think now he’s become more of a guy, like, ‘How do I impact winning?’ The thing that was so impressive to me in the New Orleans game, everybody talks about him getting (31) points. The thing that was more impressive to me is the guy took two charges on Zion Williamson. So, to me, those are winning plays. What happens if in the second half he goes 0 of 7 from the 3-point line? He’s still doing things to impact the game.

“So we want him to be aggressive, and certainly he can score. But scoring all the time doesn’t always lead to winning. You have to do a lot of other things. And I give him credit. When you look at the jump he made from two years ago to last year defensively. How many charges did this guy take? He took two charges against New Orleans, and it probably broke his record. He’s looking at the game from a different perspective.”

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Patrick Williams

Biggest strength: Defensive versatility.
Biggest weakness: Inconsistency.

Pat finishing with two hands for safety.@NBCSChicago | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/SzapjLqv6B

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 7, 2023

What to watch for: Offensive development and consistency continue to hold Williams back. You can see him playing with greater speed and intensity in all that he does this season. He’s looking to assert himself on offense. He’s trying to make the right play. So far, he hasn’t found great rhythm, and his productivity remains unpredictable from game to game. A huge scoring void is created without LaVine, meaning Williams has a license to do more. He’s been running ball screens with Vučević on occasion and still looks smooth stopping and popping a midrange jumper or a catch-and-shoot 3 on swing passes and reversals. Williams’ defense is stout and valuable. Offensively, he’s unselfish to a fault. This is his chance to show if there are any more ways he can contribute.

Donovan’s take: “We want to see Patrick do well. Everybody believes in Patrick. He has certainly shown in the time that he’s been here a lot of positive signs of growth. And I don’t want to use his age as an excuse because this is his fourth year in the league. He does have a lot of experience under his belt. … But the one thing I respect about Patrick in my conversations with him has always been, ‘I have to figure this out.’ And I’ve always admired guys who do that. And I think he’s worked hard to try to do that.”

Ayo Dosunmu

Biggest strength: Defense.
Biggest weakness: Decision-making.

Coby White sets a franchise record for consecutive games with at least three 3-pointers pic.twitter.com/aNMvwMZZxx

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 7, 2023

What to watch for: When he makes up his mind to unleash a quick move to the rim, Dosunmu can’t be deterred by many defenders. He’s been good at times driving and kicking to open teammates or making the smart extra pass. But one of the areas of Dosunmu’s development Donovan often discusses is how he must still develop timing as a facilitator. The beauty of Dosunmu is he can do several things well. It makes him a versatile weapon capable of playing multiple positions. But as a point guard, the position he strives to prove he can play, Dosunmu needs more work. The Bulls want to see Dosunmu set up teammates more effectively, push the ball in transition and organize the offense when called upon while limiting mistakes. The opportunity is there for him in this stretch to take a massive step.

Donovan’s take: “I’m really happy with the growth that he’s made. I know as difficult as last year was for him, it may have been the best thing for his development. I don’t think anybody’s growth in their career is an upward trajectory all the time. There’s peaks and valleys, ups and downs, difficulties. Those are the situations you learn in. The thing that he’s doing a great job with is he’s so much more patient and deliberate in pick-and-roll and reading situations. And that’s been good to see.”

Julian Phillips

Biggest strength: Athleticism.
Biggest weakness: Inexperience.

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What to watch for: He’s already shown flashes of his instincts and athleticism. He can make an impact with just those traits. Anything else he supplies would seem to be an unexpected gift. He has skills as a rangy defender, rebounder, shot blocker and finisher in transition. He’s looked confident launching 3-pointers but has started 0 of 7. Energy and hustle will determine Phillips’ impact in limited minutes. Look to see if he’s doing the little things to stand out and command more minutes.

Donovan’s take: “I think Julian’s done a good job considering he’s had to step into a role where guys have been out.”

Dalen Terry

Biggest strength: Versatility.
Biggest weakness: Perimeter shooting.

What to watch for: Where does he stand in the rotation? The 2022 first-round pick appears to have been supplanted by Phillips. Terry seems to have more skill, while Phillips appears to do more with his God-given abilities. Terry can do a lot of things well but doesn’t excel at anything. He’s an eager defensive rebounder who is at his best when he can lead the fast break. Donovan said Terry’s best attribute is his vision and ability to create advantages in those situations. But in his second season, Terry still plays too fast and too wild at times. He must play under control more, finish better at the basket and continue fine-tuning his 3-point shot.

Donovan’s take: “Can we put the ball in his hands and see whether or not he can play the point and do some of that? Because I think his best attribute is when he’s in the open floor. And he may not be 100 percent on the point all the time in the G League. But can we give him some opportunities to play to that strength when he is in the open floor? Because I think that’s his best attribute.

“Certainly off the ball, everybody knows as well as Dalen, he needs to keep working on his shooting and getting better there. But in broken floor situations, with his size and his vision, he does a good job passing the ball.”

(Photo: Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images)

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