PHILADELPHIA _ No Lauri Markkanen. No Denzel Valentine. And now, no Kris Dunn.
Welcome to the Bulls season opener, where unavailable bodies are growing in importance.
Coach Fred Hoiberg said Cameron Payne will start Thursday's opener versus the 76ers after Kris Dunn left the team with an excused absence for a personal matter. Hoiberg said it's unknown whether Dunn will rejoin the team in time for Saturday's home opener against the Pistons.
Payne, the oft-maligned guard acquired in the February 2017 trade that sent Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to the Thunder, finished last season playing solid reserve minutes but struggled this preseason.
"I feel I can be way better," Payne said. "I know I didn't make a lot of shots. It's really not about that. It's about getting my team involved and making sure everybody gets the ball at their spots to contribute."
Payne, who shot 25 percent in the preseason, said his focus isn't on his own play.
"Try to go 1-0, man. That's about it," Payne said. "Help my team win."
That will be a tall task with Markkanen sidelined until at least late November with an elbow injury and Valentine yet to play this season because of a sprained left ankle. Losing Dunn is another blow.
Ryan Arcidiacono, who helped lead local Villanova to an NCAA title, will back up Payne.
"We feel Cam with that first group will spray the ball ahead. He's going to run the offense," Hoiberg said. "We like what Arch has done with that second unit. He had some good chemistry with Jabari."
Indeed, Jabari Parker is coming off the bench after signing a two-year, $40 million deal in free agency. Parker said he's focused on his new role.
With the Bulls down bodies, both of the team's two-way players _ Rawle Alkins and newly signed Tyler Ulis _ are active.
