CHICAGO — Javonte Green said there were days when he didn’t think he’d be back in the NBA, never mind returning as a fan favorite for the Chicago Bulls.

Doubt seeped into his mind after chronic discomfort derailed his career midway through last season. Right knee surgery limited him to 32 games in 2022-23. Teams skipped his name on the list of available free agents last summer.

Before he climbed his way back, before he could construct a career performance in the Bulls’ 108-100 win over the New York Knicks on Friday, Green had to resurrect his game in the NBA G League. While the league is only a step away, most hopefuls playing there never make it to the NBA.
The odds appeared longer for the 30-year-old Green, whose game is dependent on his world-class athleticism.

But in only his fourth game this season, just one day after having his 10-day contract converted to a rest-of-season deal, Green showed every executive in the league that not only is he healthy, but he also makes an enormous impact.

PUT IT IN REVERSE, JAVONTE.@NBCSChicago | @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/Tdgq89efhC

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024

On a night reserved for Knicks forward OG Anunoby’s return from a nine-game absence, Green stole the stage. He’d already seized Terry Taylor’s spot on the roster, as well as the former Bulls forward’s locker. But with the way Green performed Friday, he’s quickly playing his way up the rotation.

Green was first off the Bulls’ bench against the Knicks. He scored 25 points and added 13 rebounds, two steals, one assist and one blocked shot in 33 minutes.

“I guess it’s just a testament to my hard work that I put in this whole year, since September being with Golden State’s training staff nursing me back,” Green said. “Big shoutout to them for getting me back to where I am now. It’s just up from here.”

Green signed with the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, in late October. He appeared in 10 games for them from February through mid-March. On March 23, he signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls. Four days later, in his first NBA appearance in almost a calendar year, Green was a game-best plus-26 in the Bulls’ 26-point home win over the Indiana Pacers.

“If someone said the guy had knee surgery, you’d say ‘Really? I highly doubt that,’” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “There’s no question, it’s pretty amazing.”

Green’s most electric reminder of his explosiveness came late in the second quarter. He caught an Ayo Dosunmu pass on the right wing, pounded one dribble to blow past a busted Knicks coverage and took off. Green turned his body to the basket, double clutched and threw down an authoritative reverse, two-handed dunk. The Bulls’ bench erupted. Reserve center Andre Drummond got hit with a technical foul.

“Plays like that ignite us,” DeMar DeRozan said.

“He dunks like he’s 6-9. How fast he gets off the floor. How quick he is. How hard he dunks the ball. It’s incredible. He’s one of a kind, man. I’m glad to have him back.”

Green seems to bring an endless supply of such plays, something he’s done since exploding on the scene during a breakout season with the Bulls in 2021-22. Green made Friday feel a lot like that season, when he served as an emergency power forward and was a revelation thanks to his energy and effectiveness.

“It’s a mentality,” DeRozan said. “He works hard. But he also has got that dog mentality in him to where, once he steps on the court, it’s no easing into anything. It’s all out as soon as he steps out there on that court. That’s what you get every time he’s out there on the court.”

Green made 10 of 14 shots Friday. Nine were from within 2 feet. He had four dunks, two tip-ins and a pivotal offensive rebound and putback layup that put the Bulls ahead by six with 2:06 remaining. All came from positioning himself in the right place at the right times. Green has a long enough track record to know it’s no fluke. His awareness, timing and athleticism are tough for opposing teams to deal with. And Green almost never steps outside of his assigned role.

“He’s one of those guys you want to have on your team,” DeRozan said.

From his energy to his ability to manufacture easy points, Green has a good mix of skills the Bulls have lacked all season. His return doesn’t just restore memories of yesteryear. His presence also makes you wonder what could have been. Green was signed by the Bulls only because of their rash of injuries, which includes season-ending injuries for Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams and Julian Phillips, in addition to Lonzo Ball’s prolonged absence.

“I just feel like that’s all we’ve needed since I’ve been here,” Green said of his energy. “It just sucks for me to come here this late and just try to build the chemistry back up.”

(Photo of Javonte Green: David Banks / USA Today)