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[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey responds to awful night in 145-117 blowout loss to Thunder

The Chicago Bulls wanted a chance to see how their roster stacked up against the best team in the association. The Bulls might want to rethink their rebuild strategy after getting pummeled 145-117 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in front of 18,203 fans at the Paycom Center on Monday night.

At 63-12, the Thunder have the NBA’s best record. Whatever momentum the Bulls had entering Monday night’s contest took a sobering hit. OKC limited point guard Coby White to seven points, one assist, and one steal. The back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week was -39 against the Thunder.

Shooting guard Josh Giddey made his first return to Paycom Center since he was traded from the Thunder. He had a forgettable night on the court, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. He went 1-of-5 on three-point attempts.

White and Giddey’s performance should make the Bulls reconsider giving $70 million to Giddey and White for a backcourt that can’t come within 30 points of the Thunder.

The Chicago Bulls didn’t play good enough​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Following the game, Giddey told CHSN that Monday night’s performance didn’t match the expectations the Bulls have in the locker room.

“That’s the best team to league for a reason,” Giddey said. “And if we want to get up to, you know, par with teams like this, we’ve got to be way better. And I thought if we want to be serious about the team we talk about being and where we want to get to, tonight wasn’t good enough from myself and then from a lot of guys.”

Time to bounce back tomorrow.

Josh Giddey on playing in OKC tonight: pic.twitter.com/hXlC57KDql

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) April 1, 2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder showed what an elite team looks like​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Giddey credited the Thunder for making it hard for the Bulls’ offense to score early in the game.

“I mean, we couldn’t make a shot,” Giddey said. “They are the best defensive team in the league. They make it tough on you. I thought we turned the ball over too much, myself included. We probably tried to score in the first action a little too much. And that’s a defense you have to keep moving and get through and clear out the nails so we can get downhill.

“So there just wasn’t enough game plan execution early on, and dug ourselves a 30-point hole and couldn’t find ourselves out of it.”

Giddey is thankful for the team’s quick turnaround time after the loss.

Chicago will play the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night at the United Center. The Bulls will try to climb back in the Eastern Conference standings, as they fell one game behind the Miami Heat and are now in 10th place with a 33-42 record.

Josh Giddey had this one marked on his calendar​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates after making the game winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Giddey talked about his return to Oklahoma City and said he had the game marked on his calendar.

“I had this one set up on my calendar because, not because I wanted to come back to get revenge or anything, just to see everybody, be back in this building, and see all the guys and everybody in the organization that I’ve built relationships over the last three, four years,” said Giddey, who was selected No. 6 by the Thunder in 2021.

Giddey’s exit with the Thunder started when he was benched in the playoffs last year after struggling against the Dallas Mavericks in the second round. One has to wonder if his eventual exit from Chicago could be jumpstarted with a poor performance against OKC on Monday night.

It’s hard to justify a contract extension worth nearly $30 million per year after nights that show the Bulls are a Play-In team and nothing more.

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[Chicago Bulls]

‘Problem’: Chicago Bulls have troubling injury news surface before Play-In Tournament

The Chicago Bulls took great risk to make the Play-In Tournament, sacrificing a chance to hasten their rebuild, develop young talent, and tank for a high draft pick (and the draft’s prize, Cooper Flagg).

The Bulls were rewarded with a home game at 6:30 p.m. CST Wednesday night at the United Center for the 9th versus 10th place contest against the Miami Heat. The winner will take on the loser of the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic game for the right to get smacked around by the Cleveland Cavaliers in first round of the playoffs.

Following Zach LaVine’s trade in February, Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas wanted to see what the team’s current core could do to make a run for the playoffs. Chicago went on a hot streak in March and April, but injuries threaten their chances in the Play-In Tournament.

The Chicago Bulls are unsure of Josh Giddey’s status for Wednesday​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Per Jula Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said the team is uncertain on the status of Josh Giddey against the Heat. He’s been dealing with tendenitis from his right forarm to his pinkie finger for his last six games, which has effected his three-point shooting.

The injury worsened last week.

“It’s a problem,” Donovan said. “He’s trying to manage it as best he can. I think that (medical staff) felt like, even for him, an extra day of rest would maybe help the healing process.”

Chicago has to hope they didn’t waste a shot at Flagg so Giddey could sit the bench on Wednesday.

Chicago rested White, Giddey, and Nikola Vucevic against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week for rest purposes. Their core has been effective against weaker competition but was blown out against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month.

Simply put, it’s hard for the front office to calculate if they should give Giddey and White $70 million per year, and it will be harder if Giddey cannot play this week. Not a great thing to be able to say after wasting a chance to tank in order to get out of a cycle of continual Play-In Tournament teams.

Lonzo Ball is set to miss the Play-In Tournament​

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Defense has been an issue for the Bulls all season. Chicago is expected to be without their key defender Lonzo Ball in the Play-In Tournament. The 27-year-old point guard last played on Feb. 28 against the Toronto Raptors as he deals with a wirst sprain.

The Bulls hope he can play in the playoffs if the team advances this week.

“If he can get through that week and we’re fortunate enough to play beyond the play-in, that would be the goal,” Donovan said. “Unless there’s something that happens significantly between now and Wednesday, my feeling is he probably would not be available (for Wednesday’s) game. I’m not ruling it out, but that’s kind of where we’re at right now.”

Tre Jones is out for the Play-In Tournament and isn’t expected to return in the playoffs due to a left midfoot sprain. The Bulls announced in March that Ayo Dosunmu is out for the season with a fractured shoulder.

Feb 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/josh-...josh-giddey-injury-play-in-chicago-bulls-news

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls: ESPN projects clear winner for Heat Play-In Tournament game

The Chicago Bulls are set to play the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament for the third year in a row. The Bulls have trauma to shake off before they host the Heat at the United Center for the chance to play the loser of Tuesday night’s matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.

The Bulls had a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter of their Play-In Tournament matchup with the Heat in 2023 before Miami won the fourth quarter 35-23 to advance to the playoffs with a 102-91 victory at the Kaseya Center.

Again, the Bulls scored 91 points in their matchup in 2024 but didn’t come close to Miami’s 112, also played at the Kaseya Center. The Heat raced out to a 34-17 first-quarter lead. Tyler Herro’s 24 points helped lead a Miami roster missing Jimmy Butler to the playoffs again.

In 2025, the Bulls have the benefit of being at home. They also have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams since March.

The Chicago Bulls’ odds of beating the Heat, per ESPN’s analytics​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Per ESPN BET, the Bulls are a 1.5-point favorite to beat the Heat on Wednesday night. ESPN analytics projected a clear winner for the 9th-vs. 10th place contest. Chicago has a 62.5% chance to advance to Friday night’s No. 8 seed game. The Heat have a 37.5% chance.

Those odds could shift depending on Josh Giddey’s availability, as he is battling a forearm injury.

Orlando is a 5.5-point favorite to knock off the Hawks at the Kia Center on Tuesday night. The Magic are projected with a 65.8% chance of beating Atlanta.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/espn-...n=espn-projection-heat-chicago-bulls-nba-news

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey makes sudden injury revelation before Play-In Tournament

Earlier in the week, the Chicago Bulls were unsure if Josh Giddey would be available to play the Miami Heat in Wednesday night’s Play-In Tournament matchup.

The No. 9 seed Bulls are set to play the No. 10 seed Heat at the United Center at 6:30 p.m. CST for the right to travel to play the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. The winner of that matchup will play the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

The Chicago Bulls didn’t commit to Wednesday night​

Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Head coach Billy Donovan wouldn’t commit to playing Giddey Wednesday night. The guard has been dealing with a muscle injury in his hand during his last six outings. Per Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Giddey has shot just 30.4% from beyond the arc in those six contests.

“It’s a problem,” Donovan said. “He’s trying to manage it as best he can. I think that (medical staff) felt like, even for him, an extra day of rest would maybe help the healing process.”

The injury worsened in the last week.

Giddey’s last game came in the Bulls’ 119-111 win over the Heat on April 9. He recorded a triple-double with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. He sat out Chicago’s final two games of the regular season against the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers.

Josh Giddey is set to play the Heat​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Per K.C. Johnson of CHSN, Giddey revealed to reporters that he would play the Heat on Wednesday night.

“It’s just about managing the pain,” Giddey said of the hand injury.

He plans to play through the injury in the postseason before healing it in the offseason.

“It’s just about managing the pain.”

Giddey Said it’s a hard injury to heal and will address it fully in offseason. Said it’s a muscle issue in his hand, not his wrist. https://t.co/Ij2BLQ3028

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 15, 2025

Giddey chose to make his status known suddenly on Tuesday before Donovan could address reporters on Wednesday. And before the medical staff could rule him out, like they did against the wishes of three Bulls players before their contests against the Cavs on April 8.

Giddey is averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game this season.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) gestures after making a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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[Chicago Bulls]

Matas Buzelis heaps praise on Billy Donovan ahead of play-in game

If the Chicago Bulls are going to make it out of the play-in game and into the playoffs, and then potentially make some noise, Matas Buzelis will be a huge part of it. The rookie has made huge strides down the stretch of his first NBA season, and he thinks Billy Donovan is directly responsible for that.

Billy Donovan guided Matas Buzelis to this point​

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan instructs forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Matas Buzelis had to spend some time in the G-League early in the year. He wondered after not getting minutes in the NBA if he was even good enough to play. He eventually made it back and progressively got more playing time, and he’s lately made the most of it.

He credits Billy Donovan’s tough love for helping him get through that. The rookie said that his coach holds him accountable for every single play on the court. “I remember one play at Golden State, he took me out when (Andrew) Wiggins posted me up and scored,” Buzelis said via the Chicago Tribune. “It’s little stuff like that. He challenges me in practice, and I thank him for that. He’s been a huge part of my development and probably the best coach I’ve ever had.”

Donovan flipped the conversation on its head, saying that Buzelis has the talent and now has the understanding of what kind of work ethic he needs to succeed at the NBA level. “He’s starting to see that his talent level is what got him here, but his talent level is not enough to be the individual player he wants to be,” the Chicago Bulls coach said.

The coach noted that Buzelis has taken a “hard look at himself” in terms of rest, hydration, and nutrition. He also said that his protégé has gotten much more into watching film, reading scouting reports, and studying game plans. “And not having a younger-player mentality, because he’s so gifted, of (thinking), ‘All I have to do is just show up and it’s going to be OK,'” Donovan added.

Donovan is very proud of the growth his rookie has undergone this year. Buzelis thinks it’s Donovan’s guiding hand that has helped get him to that point. Now, with a do-or-die matchup on deck, it’s time to find out if that combination can get them to the postseason.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/matas...m_campaign=matas-buzelis-praise-billy-donovan

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Josh Giddey regrets play-in trouncing by Miami Heat

Josh Giddey scored a team-high 25 points, but he needed 21 shots to do it in the Chicago Bulls’ season-ending loss to the Miami Heat. After going 15-6 to close the regular season, familiar demons appeared in the play-in tournament in a 109-90 loss.

Tyler Herro, someone who’s been a thorn in Chicago’s side in numerous play-in games, scored 38 and led the Heat to a convincing road win. That sent the Bulls back into the lottery and the Heat into another do-or-die game with the Atlanta Hawks. Giddey reflected after the loss.

Josh Giddey laments lack of response to Heat punches​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) gestures after making a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls swept Miami 3-0 during the regular season, but the Heat got the last laugh. They pestered Josh Giddey, the only Bulls player to get to 20 points in the game, all night. They jumped out to an 11-point lead in the first quarter and never really looked back.

“They punched us first, and we didn’t respond the way we had to,” Giddey said via ESPN after the game. “Credit to Miami. They’re well-coached; they’re a good team. They’ve been in this position before, as some of our guys here. We obviously knew what was at stake tonight. We just didn’t come out with the right mentality, the right mindset. And it’s what happens — you lose, your season’s over just like that.”

The Bulls seemed to have the momentum. They’d just beaten the Heat days prior and earned the home game this time instead of visiting Miami. They also were one of the NBA’s hottest teams down the stretch, and that included wins over some really good teams.

Regrettably, the Heat came together when it counted thanks to Tyler Herro’s exceptional performance. Erik Spoelstra, the Heat coach, knew coming in that they would be a challenge. His team responded by never trailing the Bulls.

“They had two games where we felt like we were in control of the game both times in the fourth quarter and they came storming back and had some impressive scoring quarters. Our guys really respected how much they could score. To hold that team to 90, it’s not an easy task,” Spoelstra admitted.

Now, the Bulls will turn their attention to the lottery. Depending on how the Heat and Mavericks do in their last play-in game, the Bulls can rise and get a slightly better chance at somehow landing the first overall pick.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/josh-...mpaign=josh-giddey-regrets-play-in-miami-heat