After a modest start to 2026, the Chicago Bulls endured another uneven week, alternating between dismal offensive performances and flashes of promise, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s consistency and ability to maximize the talent on their roster.

The week opened with a Monday matchup in Boston, where the Bulls fell 115–101 to the Celtics in a game that exposed early-season struggles and offensive inefficiency, despite a second-half resurgence fueled by sophomore forward Matas Buzelis.

In the first half, Chicago posted its lowest scoring outputs of the season, tallying just 14 points in the opening quarter and 33 points at halftime. The Bulls shot a paltry 31.7 percent from the field and 5-of-28 from three-point range.

Even more concerning, the team missed 14 consecutive three-point attempts during the first half, underscoring the shooting woes that have plagued Chicago and forced reliance on sporadic bursts from individual players rather than team consistency.

Boston capitalized on Chicago’s struggles, committing only seven turnovers—the second-fewest by a Bulls opponent this season—and draining 20 three-pointers, highlighting defensive lapses and an inability to contest shots effectively.

The Celtics also dominated the glass, collecting 20 offensive rebounds, 14 of which came in the first half, converting those opportunities into 26 second-chance points, a key factor in maintaining a double-digit lead throughout much of the game.

The second half, however, offered a glimpse of hope, as the Bulls shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 11-of-18 from three, with Buzelis scoring 16 of his 26 points during the surge, including an explosive third quarter that briefly reignited the offense.

Buzelis has now scored in double figures in nine of his last ten games, and posted 20-plus points in two of the last three contests, establishing himself as a rising star capable of lifting the team during offensive slumps.

Wednesday’s 108–93 loss to the Detroit Pistons continued the pattern of mixed performances, with Chicago underperforming despite facing a Pistons squad missing key starters Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, highlighting deeper roster and execution issues.

The positives included Buzelis scoring 20 points with a season-high four blocks, Nikola Vucevic filling the stat sheet with 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu adding 24 points, while Tre Jones contributed 12 assists, illustrating the potential of Chicago’s supporting cast.

The negatives were equally pronounced. Chicago managed only 93 points, its second-lowest of the season, and shot under 45 percent for the second time in 13 games. Turnovers plagued the team, including 17 miscues overall and five in the fourth quarter alone.

The Bulls’ 5–12 record in games with at least 13 turnovers highlights a structural problem. Detroit, despite ranking 28th in turnovers per game, committed only eight, magnifying Chicago’s inefficiency and inability to execute under pressure during critical stretches.

Saturday’s 125–101 wire-to-wire victory over the Dallas Mavericks provided a much-needed rebound, with the Bulls finally firing on all cylinders offensively, shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 15-of-46 from three-point range while controlling the game from start to finish.

Buzelis extended his career-best streak of games with 15 or more points to six, while Vucevic recorded his third consecutive double-double. Dosunmu contributed 20 points, eight assists, and four steals, marking season highs and underscoring his ability to impact multiple facets of the game.

Defensively, the Bulls limited Dallas to 16 points by any single player, with rookie Ryan Nembhard leading the Mavericks at just 16 points, reflecting a balanced Chicago defensive effort and a rare moment of dominance in both halves.

While the Bulls’ performance against Dallas was encouraging, concerns remained outside the NBA, as off-court distractions, such as a delayed Chicago Bears game, provided an unexpected talking point and highlighted the team’s broader focus and public perception challenges.

Player of the Week: Matas Buzelis deserves recognition for his second-year leap. Averaging 20.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks this week, the sophomore has proven to be a stabilizing offensive force capable of carrying Chicago through stretches of inconsistency.

Looking ahead, the Bulls face a series of winnable but challenging matchups, beginning with a trip to face the struggling Houston Rockets on Tuesday, followed by a home game against the Utah Jazz, and ending with a unique “baseball series” against the Brooklyn Nets.

This upcoming slate provides an opportunity to build momentum, integrate returning players, and solidify the team’s rotations, while also offering a chance to test adjustments made in practice and observe how young contributors like Buzelis and Dosunmu respond under pressure.

For Chicago, the key takeaway is consistency. While flashes of brilliance exist, particularly from Buzelis, Vucevic, and Dosunmu, the Bulls must limit turnovers, improve shooting efficiency, and generate more reliable scoring across the roster to sustain competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.