Overview
- Coach Billy Donovan announced Wednesday that Essengue will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season after he, his representation, and team doctors agreed on surgery.
- Doctors identified looseness and instability rather than a full dislocation, and repeated play was expected to trigger seven- to 10-day shutdowns after flare-ups.
- Post-op plans call for roughly six weeks of full shutdown, followed by a gradual ramp-up with prolonged limits on upper-body lifting.
- During rehab, the Bulls plan structured film and skill work and want Ayo Dosunmu, who had similar shoulder surgery last season, to mentor the 18-year-old forward.
- Essengue logged only six NBA minutes over two games but averaged about 23 points and 8.5 rebounds in four G League outings with Windy City, and he is expected to make a full recovery.