Bulls’ Coby White preparing for return from injury ‘real soon’

White on track to return from shoulder injury ‘real soon’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Early this week, Coby White was cleared to rejoin Chicago Bulls practice, a sign that the third-year guard’s return from the torn left labrum he suffered during the offseason is approaching.

Since then, White practiced with the Bulls’ G League affiliate on Tuesday, including a 5-on-5 scrimmage composed of four six-minute quarters, and went through Wednesday morning shootaround in advance of a home matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.

“It’s been a long road, it’s been a long five-to-six months (of rehab), so it’s a blessing to be back out there and playing again,” White said after shootaround. “I’m pretty much fully back (at practice) right now.”

White’s surgery, which typically carries a four-to-six month recovery timeline, was on June 10, making a mid-November return right on schedule.

“Soon,” White said when asked when he’ll return to game action. “Real soon.”

After the Mavericks game, the Bulls jet to California for bouts against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, then a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers on Sunday and Monday. Trips to Portland and Denver follow next Wednesday and Friday.

White will travel with the team for that West Coast swing, and added when asked if he’ll return during the road trip: “Maybe. It’s a possibility.”

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The Bulls are certainly eager for his return. While the defensive aptitude of their second unit — buoyed by Alex Caruso, Derrick Jones Jr., Ayo Dosunmu and Tony Bradley — has sparked multiple comeback victories amid a 7-3 start, bench scoring has been an Achilles heel. The Bulls enter play Wednesday 29th in the NBA in bench points per game (24.7), 29th in bench 3-pointers made per game (2.3) and 26th in bench assists per game (5.8). As a team, they rank dead last in 3-point attempts (26.9) and 29th in 3-point makes (9.5) per game as well.

White, meanwhile, averaged…