Bulls' Patrick Williams Reportedly Out 4-6 Weeks After Suffering Ankle Injury

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams will reportedly sit out at least a month because of an ankle injury.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported Friday that Williams will be sidelined four to six weeks with a "severe left ankle sprain."

Williams put together an up-and-down debut campaign after Chicago selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

The 6'7'' Florida State product averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 48.3 percent to earn NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. He ranked 66th of 88 qualified power forwards in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus.

In August, Williams told reporters he worked through the summer on ways to become more aggressive offensively in order to shed the "Passive Pat" nickname:

"That was a big thing I worked on this summer. Just my size, my strength, my athleticism, being able to get to my spot and also having a spot. A lot of guys that I modeled my game after and I watch a lot, they get to that spot and they're able to play through that spot and make plays in that spot, whether it's scoring, passing, whatever. So just adding that to my game."

Williams showed promise in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 21.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists across three appearances.

Chicago exercised the third-year option in the 20-year-old North Carolina native's four-year, $32.1 million rookie contract Wednesday. The deal is guaranteed through the 2022-23 season with another team option for 2023-24 and the right to extend him a qualifying offer in 2024 when he's scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

Williams, who started all 71 games he played as a rookie, should become a staple in the Bulls lineup again when he returns to full strength.

Chicago begins the regular season Oct. 20 when it travels to face the Detroit Pistons. The second-year forward is slated to miss between two and seven games based on the initial recovery timetable.