Things aren’t going well for the Chicago Bulls. After starting the season 6-1, they’ve gone 3-8 since. While they’ve pulled off a few surprising wins—like a victory over the Denver Nuggets—they’ve also fallen to struggling teams such as the injury-ravaged Detroit Pistons, the Utah Jazz, and the two-win New Orleans Pelicans.
Yet, aside from those struggling squads, the Bulls have faced a gauntlet of opponents. They’ve already played the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons twice, the New York Knicks twice, and tough matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat.
Health and schedule could spark turnaround
Things should improve for the Bulls, as their next five opponents have a combined record of just 22-68. Those matchups include the Charlotte Hornets, the Indiana Pacers (twice), the Orlando Magic, and the Brooklyn Nets. Notably, the Bulls have already beaten the only team among them with a winning record—the Magic.
Amid a four-day break, several key Bulls players are set to return from injury. In their most recent game against the Pelicans, Chicago was without Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Isaac Okoro, Nikola Vucevic, and Dalen Terry. Missing both bigs, Collins and Vucevic, proved especially costly, as the Bulls allowed 78 points in the paint while starting 6-foot-7 Patrick Williams at center.
Ahead of the Bulls’ matchup against the Hornets, Zach Collins is the only player currently ruled out. Two weeks ago, Billy Donovan suggested Collins could return around Thanksgiving. The 6-foot-10 big man has had his wrist splint off for most of the month, and he should be back once his conditioning and comfort level are fully restored.
Besides Collins, Okoro is listed as doubtful, making his availability against the Hornets uncertain. Huerter, Terry, Vucevic, and Williams are all questionable, though all four should be suiting up barring any setbacks.
Chicago badly needs a reset, and an easier schedule, along with the return of several key players from injury, could provide it. After starting the season with a surprisingly stingy defense, the Bulls have reverted to last season’s struggles. Over their last 10 games, Chicago ranks 25th in defensive rating, 28th in turnovers forced, and 30th in points in the paint allowed per game.
The Bulls’ offense has been strong for much of the season, yet it ranks only around average in most advanced metrics despite sitting fourth in the NBA in points per game. Getting the full lineup back and healthy will offer a clearer picture of whether Chicago’s offense is truly elite or just middling.