After a tough previous week, the Chicago Bulls were eager to find consistency as they awaited Josh Giddey’s return from injury, opening the week with a matchup against the struggling Houston Rockets before hosting the Utah Jazz and wrapping up with a series against the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, saw the Bulls fall 119–113 to the Rockets, yet there were signs of promise, as Chicago held Houston to just 12 offensive rebounds despite the Rockets averaging over 16 per game, while Chicago collected 14 second-chance boards themselves.
Chicago attempted six more shots than Houston, largely due to efficient ball control, committing just seven turnovers and allowing only eight points off miscues, marking just the second time this season the Bulls finished a game with fewer than ten turnovers.
Tre Jones had a career-defining night against one of the NBA’s top-eight defenses, pouring in 34 points with seven assists while connecting on five three-pointers, both career highs, highlighting his potential as a rising star in Chicago’s backcourt.
Despite Jones’ heroics, the supporting cast struggled mightily, shooting just 36.5 percent from the field and a dismal 7-of-31 from deep, leaving the Bulls at 1–11 on the season in games where the team shot under 45 percent overall.
Ball movement was also a concern, with the Bulls finishing the game with just 24 assists, continuing a trend of struggling when team distribution falters, as they are now 0–6 in contests where assists fall below 26.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, brought a thrilling 128–126 victory over the Utah Jazz, as the offense bounced back, knocking down 17 threes on 43 attempts and shooting 51.1 percent overall, showcasing the team’s capacity for efficient scoring when execution aligns.
Nikola Vučević anchored the Bulls’ interior dominance with a season-high 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, contributing to a 60-point night in the paint and sealing the game-winning basket with four seconds left on a perfect Tre Jones assist.
The Bulls’ bench played an extraordinary role in the Jazz victory, contributing 61 points collectively, with all five reserves finishing in double figures, underscoring the importance of depth and energy off the bench in sustaining Chicago’s offensive rhythm.
Despite the win, Brice Sensabaugh delivered a remarkable performance for the Jazz, scoring 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting, the most points scored off the bench by any player this season, illustrating the thin margin for error in the NBA.
Friday, January 16, 2026, brought a 112–109 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, where the Bulls overcame a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit, hitting six of 11 threes and recording 12 assists in the final frame, demonstrating their resilience even in challenging games.
Jalen Smith posted another double-double against Brooklyn with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks, as coach Billy Donovan leaned on a double-big lineup in the second half, a strategic adjustment that paid dividends in the contest’s closing minutes.
However, Chicago’s lack of a primary scorer was exposed, with no player topping 20 points despite six finishing in double figures, while Brooklyn had a clear go-to option in Michael Porter Jr., who scored 26 points with seven rebounds to secure the win.
By clawing back in the fourth quarter, the Bulls extended their streak of close contests to three, going 1–2 in those games, and improving to 14–11 in clutch situations on the season, highlighting the team’s continued fight in high-pressure moments.
Sunday, January 18, 2026, featured a 124–102 Bulls win over the Nets, as Chicago buried 20 threes for the fourth time this season, with Coby White hitting seven and Ayo Dosunmu adding five, bringing the team’s record to 3–1 when making at least 20 shots from deep.
The offense was firing on all cylinders, assisting on 41 of 49 made field goals, a season-high, while committing only seven turnovers, tying Chicago for the fewest per-game over the past week at 9.3, showcasing efficient execution and decision-making.
Despite the victory, the Bulls continued to struggle defending Brooklyn on the perimeter, as the Nets averaged 18 made threes per game at 43.9 percent across their three matchups, emphasizing an area still requiring attention in Chicago’s defensive schemes.
Jalen Smith was named the Bulls’ Player of the Week, averaging 13 points and 10.5 rebounds while completing a three-game double-double streak, demonstrating consistency and a growing leadership role in both Chicago’s frontcourt and overall team performance.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will face a Kawhi-less Los Angeles Clippers team on Tuesday, travel to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves on Thursday, and then return home to host the Boston Celtics on Saturday, providing opportunities to build momentum before Giddey’s anticipated return.
