The Chicago Bulls entered their latest home game hoping to spark momentum with the emotional return of Coby White, yet instead they endured another crushing defeat, falling 131–99 to the Charlotte Hornets in what became their tenth consecutive loss of the season.
This 32-point blowout represented far more than just another defeat; it cemented Chicago as the only winless team in the NBA, according to ESPN Insights, further compounding an already demoralizing stretch that has pushed the franchise deeper into instability.
The Bulls have now suffered seven straight home losses, a streak that reflects the team’s struggles with consistency, defensive execution and overall competitive identity as they slide further down the Eastern Conference hierarchy with a 24–35 record.
This ten-game slump marks the longest losing streak the Bulls have endured in seven years, an alarming reminder of the franchise’s recurring difficulties in rebuilding stability and developing a cohesive on-court foundation capable of winning close games.
Despite the loss, rookie Matas Buzelis delivered the brightest performance of the night, posting a career-high 32 points while knocking down six three-pointers, showcasing the offensive promise that made him one of Chicago’s key long-term developmental priorities.
Buzelis also led the Bulls in rebounding with six boards, underscoring his emerging versatility and hinting at his potential as a future two-way cornerstone if Chicago can surround him with steadier structure and a more reliable roster framework.
Alongside Buzelis, forward Patrick Williams and veteran big man Guerschon Yabusele both contributed 11 points, though neither performance significantly shifted the momentum or closed the massive scoring gap Charlotte built throughout the matchup.
Guard Collin Sexton, competing against his former team, finished with 10 points and brought his usual aggression and pace, yet the Bulls struggled to convert his drives into sustained offensive runs amid constant defensive breakdowns on the other end.
Meanwhile, Josh Giddey, still working his way back after a recent hamstring injury, posted eight points while managing limited bursts of pace and playmaking, a sign that he is still transitioning toward full rhythm inside Chicago’s evolving offensive system.
Forward Isaac Okoro added seven points and continued to demonstrate consistent defensive energy, though the Bulls’ defensive issues were too widespread for individual efforts to meaningfully slow down Charlotte’s relentless scoring rhythm.
Rookie guard Rob Dillingham led the team with five assists, continuing his trend as one of Chicago’s most instinctive facilitators, though the team’s overall spacing and shot creation remained inconsistent throughout all four quarters.
In his return to Chicago, Coby White logged ten points and was greeted with a warm tribute video during the first quarter, honoring his years of dedication, development and emotional connection with fans before his recent departure in the team’s trade reshuffling.
White’s tribute served as a bittersweet reminder of Chicago’s recent roster upheaval, as the team continues adjusting to life after trading key contributors such as Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter, who played pivotal roles in the Bulls’ last win on January 31.
That January 31 victory — a 125–118 triumph over the Miami Heat — now feels increasingly distant, marking the last time Chicago tasted success before plunging into a February stretch defined entirely by losses.
As the Bulls prepare for their next matchup on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, the stakes are particularly high, as another defeat would complete an entire calendar month without a single victory.
The psychological weight of going winless across February could place additional pressure on Chicago’s young core, coaching staff and front office, all of whom face mounting scrutiny regarding the direction of the franchise and its long-term competitiveness.
On Sunday, the Bulls will remain at home to open March by facing the Milwaukee Bucks, a matchup that promises to be equally challenging given Milwaukee’s physicality, veteran experience and postseason-caliber roster depth.
This upcoming stretch will reveal whether Chicago can halt its slide and salvage momentum, or whether the team will continue drifting further from playoff contention in a season increasingly defined by missed opportunities and developmental inconsistencies.
A deeper look at the Bulls’ struggles reveals issues extending beyond poor shooting nights or isolated defensive lapses, instead highlighting problems tied to roster cohesion, spacing limitations, transition defense and late-game execution under mounting pressure.
Chicago’s young players — particularly Buzelis, Dillingham and Okoro — have showcased flashes of high-level development, but those moments have been overshadowed by an absence of consistent veteran support and the lack of a true primary scorer during key stretches.
The Bulls’ frontcourt has also been tested heavily during this losing streak, particularly after roster changes removed much of Chicago’s size, forcing younger players into roles demanding greater physicality and defensive responsibility than expected at this stage.
Meanwhile, backcourt rotations remain unsettled as the team attempts to integrate Giddey while balancing Sexton’s aggression, White’s familiarity, and Dillingham’s creative upside — a combination that has yet to translate to fluid or efficient offensive structure.
Chicago’s declining defensive metrics paint an even clearer picture, revealing frequent miscommunications, late rotations, and mismatches exploited by opposing offenses, particularly along the perimeter where breakdowns have been most severe during this skid.
Though these weaknesses are significant, the Bulls’ leadership maintains that time, continuity and patience will be essential to constructing a core capable of sustained development beyond the turbulence of the current losing streak.
Still, the franchise must now confront the reality that this ten-game slide, combined with being the league’s only winless team, has magnified expectations for structural changes, whether in rotations, strategy or overall roster direction.
As Chicago navigates the closing stretch of the season, fans will be watching closely to evaluate how the team responds, whether the young core continues to grow, and if the Bulls demonstrate any signs of breaking free from one of the lowest points in recent franchise history.
Until then, the Bulls remain a team searching for identity, leadership and stability — qualities they will desperately need to avoid further spiraling, particularly with challenging opponents waiting in early March.
What comes next will determine not only the final record of the 2025–26 campaign, but also the urgency and scope of offseason decisions the front office must make to steer Chicago toward meaningful progress.
One thing is certain: the Bulls can no longer afford to wait for momentum to find them.
They must reclaim it themselves.
