Max Strus sustained a torn ACL and bone bruise to his left knee on Dec. 21 in the Windy City Bulls game against the Lakeland Magic at the G League Winter Showcase.

The diagnosis was confirmed by an MRI and a physical exam. Strus will undergo surgery in approximately three weeks after his swelling and discomfort resolves, and he is expected to be out for eight-to-12 months.

The Bulls signed Strus to a Two-Way contract on Oct. 22. He averaged 2.5 points through two appearances for the Bulls this season. In the G League, Strus averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 13 games for Windy City.

John Paxson reaffirmed his commitment to Jim Boylen despite the Chicago Bulls' struggles this season in an interview with K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

"We’re committed to Jim. There’s no quick fix to this. We’re not thinking of making any changes. Jim is a grinder. He’s going to keep grinding. One thing I respect immensely about him is he’s willing to listen to ideas. The thing he and I do is talk basketball. When I see things, he listens to what I have to say. Not that I’m making the decisions and I don’t tell him to play, but we talk basketball. And he’s open. He’s going to continue to grow and get better. I thought when we hired Chris (Fleming) and Roy (Rogers) this offseason, we improved our staff immensely. And I still believe that and they’re learning their rhythm together. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by our defense. We’re probably ahead of where we should be given the youth of our team. We’re committed to Jim," said Paxson, emphasizing the team's development of its young core.

The Bulls are 9-18 on the season.

Paxson added that he still believes the Bulls can make the playoffs this season.

"What we said is our goal is to challenge and compete for the playoffs. I don’t know why that changes. And the reason we said that, the summer we had and the changes we made and the draft and the buy-in in September, our players felt good about themselves. And we all felt good about it. The way Jim is wired, we’re all wired, why shouldn’t we be sending the message to them to compete for the playoffs?"

Otto Porter Jr. was evaluated on Monday by a foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Bob Anderson, in Green Bay, Wis. Anderson confirmed the bone injury and healing response in Porter's left foot consistent with a small fracture that has become more clearly defined with repeated imaging over the last five weeks.

Porter will continue his current period of immobilization and progress as tolerated over the next four weeks when he will be reassessed.

Otto Porter Jr. underwent a repeat MRI of his left foot on Wednesday, Dec. 4, which revealed continued bone edema. Following a brief period of immobilization, Porter will resume a program of non-impact activities and targeted therapy.

Porter will also be evaluated by Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Green Bay, Wisc., and be reassessed in two weeks.