After a rough previous week, the Bulls were looking for a convincing stretch as they await Josh Giddey’s return from injury. They opened the week with a matchup against a struggling Rockets team before hosting the Jazz the following night. The week wrapped up with a baseball series against the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.
Tuesday Jan 13 2026: 119–113 loss to the Houston Rockets
What worked
The Bulls held the Rockets off the offensive glass, limiting Houston to just 12 offensive rebounds despite its league-leading average of over 16 per game. Chicago even flipped the script, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that turned into 17 second-chance points.
Despite the loss, Chicago attempted six more shots than Houston, largely due to committing just seven turnovers and allowing only eight points off them — just the second time this season the Bulls finished with fewer than 10 miscues.
Tre Jones had a career night against Houston’s top-eight defense, pouring in 34 points (career high) with seven assists while drilling five three-pointers (also a career high).
What didn't
Despite Jones’ career night, the supporting cast didn’t follow suit, shooting just 36.5 percent from the field and an abysmal 7-of-31 from beyond the arc. Chicago is now 1–11 this season when shooting under 45 percent from the field.
The ball wasn’t moving as it usually does, with the Bulls finishing with just 24 assists. The Bulls are now 0–6 when recording fewer than 26 in a game.
Wednesday Jan 14 2026: 128–126 win over the Utah Jazz
What worked
After a rough shooting night in Houston, the offense bounced back. The Bulls knocked down 17 threes on 43 attempts (39.5 percent) and shot 51.1 percent overall.
Nikola Vučević delivered a season-high 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, anchoring a 60-point night in the paint for Chicago. He sealed it with the game-winner with four seconds left, finishing a possession sparked by Okoro’s hustle on the offensive glass and a perfect feed from Jones.
The Bulls’ bench delivered in a big way, accounting for 61 of Chicago’s 128 points, with all five reserves finishing in double figures.
What didn't
There wasn’t much the Bulls could do about it, but Brice Sensabaugh went nuclear off the bench. He went for 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting (68.2 percent), marking the most points scored off the bench by any player this season.
Friday Jan 16 2026: 112–109 loss to the Brooklyn Nets
What worked
The Bulls managed to overcome a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit after playing three underwhelming quarters. Chicago hit six of their 11 threes in the final frame, pairing it with 12 assists.
Jalen Smith posted another double-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Billy Donovan leaned more heavily on the double-big lineup in the second half, and it paid dividends.
What didn't
The lack of a primary scorer was on full display for Chicago, with nobody topping 20 points despite six players finishing in double figures. Brooklyn, however, had a clear go-to option. Michael Porter Jr. poured in 26 points with seven rebounds after burning the Bulls for 33 and 10 in their first meeting.
By making it close in the fourth, the game became Chicago’s third straight clutch contest — the Bulls went 1–2 in that span and now stand at 14–11 in clutch games this season.
Sunday Jan 18 2026: 124–102 win over the Brooklyn Nets
What worked
Chicago buried 20 threes for the fourth time this season, with White drilling seven and Ayo Dosunmu adding five as the Bulls improved to 3–1 when hitting at least 20 from deep.
The offense was clicking in every facet. Chicago assisted on 41 of its 49 made field goals — a season high — while turning the ball over just seven times. The Bulls are now tied for the fewest turnovers per game in the NBA over the past week (9.3 per game).
What didn't
The Bulls still haven’t solved Brooklyn on the perimeter, as the Nets have averaged 18 made threes per game on 43.9 percent shooting across their three matchups this season.
Player of the Week: Jalen Smith.
Smith posted 13 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, finishing the week on a three-game double-double streak.
Up Next
Chicago will face a Kawhi-less Clippers team on Tuesday before heading to Minnesota to play the Wolves on Thursday, then return home to host the Celtics on Saturday.