Patrick Williams Hospitalized After Knee Injury, Receives PRP Injection for Tendinosis; Re-Evaluation Scheduled in Two Weeks
Chicago, IL – Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams is currently recovering after being hospitalized due to a knee injury that has sidelined him indefinitely. The team announced that Williams received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to treat tendinosis in his right knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The news comes as a setback for the 22-year-old forward, who was expected to play a pivotal role in the Bulls’ rebuilding efforts this season. Williams, who recently signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension with Chicago, had been showing significant improvement both offensively and defensively before the injury.
According to team officials, Williams first began experiencing discomfort in his right knee during a recent practice session. After initial medical evaluation and imaging, doctors diagnosed him with tendinosis — a chronic condition characterized by the degeneration of a tendon due to overuse and strain.
To address the issue, Williams underwent a PRP injection, a non-surgical treatment designed to accelerate healing in injured tendons, ligaments, and joints. PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the platelet-rich solution into the affected area. It has been increasingly used by professional athletes to speed up recovery from soft-tissue injuries.
“Patrick is in good spirits and responding well to treatment,” said Bulls team physician Dr. Brian Cole in a statement. “We believe PRP therapy offers an excellent option for his recovery, and we’ll continue to monitor his progress closely. Our goal is to ensure he returns to the court at full strength.”
Williams was admitted to a local hospital for observation after the injection as a precautionary measure. He was discharged the following day and is currently resting and undergoing light rehabilitation under the supervision of the Bulls’ medical staff.
The injury is a blow to the Bulls’ frontcourt, already dealing with roster transitions following the trades of veterans DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Williams, a former No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was expected to anchor the team’s defense and provide offensive versatility alongside rising stars like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
Head coach Billy Donovan expressed optimism about Williams’ recovery but acknowledged the timing was unfortunate.
“Patrick has been working incredibly hard this offseason,” Donovan told reporters. “He’s one of the cornerstones of our future. It’s tough to lose him right now, but health comes first. We’re hopeful the PRP treatment will give him the recovery boost he needs, and we’ll reassess in two weeks.”
Teammates also shared their support for Williams, with Coby White calling him “one of the toughest guys in the locker room” and noting that “he’ll bounce back stronger.”
While no definitive timeline for Williams’ return has been announced, the team emphasized that his status will be re-evaluated in two weeks, with further treatment decisions based on his response to the PRP therapy.
The Bulls have not announced whether they plan to make any short-term roster moves to fill the gap left by Williams, but his absence is expected to open up opportunities for younger players like Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry to see increased minutes.
For now, the Bulls will move forward cautiously, hoping their versatile forward makes a swift and full recovery.
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