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In their preseason opener on October 7, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, the Chicago Bulls secured a 124-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Despite a messy beginning and aggressive play from the Suns, the Bulls managed to pull out the win, with notable contributions from Norman Powell and Matas Buzelis.
The game was far from flawless, but the Bulls' ability to adapt and stay focused through rough patches provided a positive takeaway. Norman Powell, a recent addition to the team, opened the scoring with a three-pointer from the top of the key, showcasing his shooting prowess. However, it quickly became clear that the season would be a learning experience for the young squad.
Matas Buzelis, a second-year forward, was assertive from the start, demanding the ball and attacking the rim. He had recently spoken about the challenges of the previous season, which some fans misinterpreted as criticism of former head coach Billy Donovan. Buzelis clarified his comments, and if the online chatter motivated him, it showed in his play. He repeatedly emphasized his focus on increased physicality and aggressive drives during the summer, and he executed that effectively in the first quarter.
Buzelis had two smooth drives, using his athleticism to switch hands in mid-air and finish over defenders. His third drive missed but drew enough attention to allow Jalen Smith to score a putback dunk. Later, he maneuvered in the paint for an underhand layup. He finished the first half with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, with eight of those points coming in the first quarter. While the half wasn't perfect, it gave Bulls fans confidence that Buzelis is ready for a larger role.
During a stoppage, veterans Norman Powell and Buddy Hield were seen rallying the team, a sight likely to become common as the young core leans on its few experienced players. The inexperience was evident early; the starting unit kept pace with the Suns' veteran starters, but rookie Caleb Wilson was quiet in the first quarter. The bench, under coach Tiago Splitter, struggled significantly.
Chicago was shorthanded, missing Nic Claxton and Zach Collins in the frontcourt, and Tre Jones and Jaylin Sellers were ruled out just before tip-off. This presented an opportunity for the younger players, but they faltered in the first half. Two-way big man Tobe Awaka quickly accumulated four fouls, and Dailyn Swain picked up three, including an over-and-back violation. The Bulls committed double-digit turnovers in the first half as the Suns' active hands disrupted their rhythm.
The difference was stark when the starters were on the floor compared to the bench. Health and more practice will help, but it was a reminder that the season will have ups and downs with such a young and makeshift roster. The Bulls emphasized physicality in training camp, which led to some sloppy fouls but also kept the game close. They finished with 32 free throw attempts, making 28, and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, resulting in 11 second-chance points.
It was intriguing to see who Tiago Splitter turned to first off the bench, potentially indicating trust or early training camp impressions. Buddy Hield was the first substitute, followed by Tobe Awaka, then Dailyn Swain as the backup guard, and Isaac Okoro. Leonard Miller, who showed promise late last season, was the 10th man. Noa Essengue and Patrick Williams did not play until midway through the third quarter. For Essengue, the youngest player on the team, it makes sense; for Williams, it might be a wake-up call.
Josh Giddey did not attempt a field goal until 1:44 remained in the second quarter, though he facilitated offense effectively. As the team establishes its scoring hierarchy, this is worth monitoring.
Matas Buzelis looked like the confident scorer he was at the end of last season, though he missed all six of his three-point attempts. Dailyn Swain had a solid night, showing some discomfort running the offense but scoring opportunistically, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. He finished with a team-high plus-6 rating.
Jalen Smith aimed to prove he deserves a significant rotation spot, especially with Nic Claxton and Zach Collins on the roster. His performance likely earned him some trust, as he displayed versatility and energetic two-way play.
Rookie Caleb Wilson played his first game against an NBA team. While fans may have wanted more highlights, he showed flashes: a turnaround mid-range jumper for his first preseason points, a fastbreak dunk, and a couple of trips to the free throw line. Adjusting to the physicality of the Suns will be a learning process.
Elias Schuster is a sports journalist and content creator from the northern suburbs of Chicago. A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate, he has covered the Bulls since 2019-20 and previously served as editor of BN Bulls at Bleacher Nation. He has been the Publisher for Bulls On SI since December 2025. When not focused on basketball, he enjoys following other sports and exploring Chicago's bars and restaurants.
Originally reported by headtopics.