Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
· National Basketball Association
Bulls end 7-game skid in first game since front-office shake-up, pounding NBA-worst Wizards 129-98
In the first game since they fired their top two basketball executives, the Bulls were in firm control by the end of the first quarter, leading 38-18 against a Washington team that's seeking to maximize its odds of landing a top draft pick.
Chicago extended its lead to 66-37 by halftime and 100-63 by the end of the third against a Wizards team that appeared disinterested on defense. Patrick Williams added a season-high 20 points and Tre Jones had 20 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who play at Washington again on Thursday night.
The Bulls were 23-22 on Jan. 24 but have collapsed since, losing 27 of 34. Chicago made the playoffs just once in six seasons under executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, both of whom were fired Monday. On Tuesday, CEO Michael Reinsdorf said he wanted coach Billy Donovan to return next season.
Bilal Coulibaly scored 19 points for the Wizards, who have lost seven straight and 23 of 24. Washington started two players on two-way contracts, Juju Reese and Leaky Black, along with veteran Anthony Gill, who has long been one of the last options off the Wizards’ bench but has seen regular playing time lately with the roster depleted by injuries.
Reese had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Sharife Cooper also scored 17.
Regular Season Series
CHI leads series 2-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 129 - 98 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 129 - 98 |
| 4th 17.6 |  |
Lachlan Olbrich defensive rebound | 129 - 98 |
| 4th 17.6 |  |
Jamir Watkins misses 24-foot fade away jump shot | 129 - 98 |
| 4th 18.7 | |
Jamir Watkins offensive rebound | 129 - 98 |
Statistics
 CHI |
 WSH |
|
|---|---|---|
| 46-94 | FG | 37-86 |
| 49 | Field Goal % | 43 |
| 15-45 | 3PT | 11-38 |
| 33 | Three Point % | 29 |
| 22-27 | FT | 13-21 |
| 81 | Free Throw % | 62 |
| 52 | Rebounds | 46 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 8 |
| 43 | Defensive Rebounds | 38 |
| 35 | Assists | 22 |
| 14 | Steals | 8 |
| 7 | Blocks | 7 |
| 13 | Turnovers | 21 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 22 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 3 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 22 |
| 31 | Fast Break Points | 14 |
| 56 | Points in Paint | 44 |
| 22 | Fouls | 19 |
| 37 | Largest Lead | 4 |
| 1 | Lead Change | 1 |
| 92 | Percent Led | 7 |
Washington Wizards Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Vukcevic, F | Out | Nov 8 |
| Reece Beekman, G | Out | Nov 2 |
| Justin Champagnie, F | Out | Oct 28 |
| Jamir Watkins, G | Out | Jul 30 |
Chicago Bulls Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Tobe Awaka, F | Out | Nov 12 |
| Dailyn Swain, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 12 |
| Norman Powell, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 12 |
| Caleb Wilson, F | Out | Nov 12 |
Game Information
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: 15,049 · Capacity:
Detroit
Cleveland
Indiana
Milwaukee2026-27 Southeast Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Atlanta |
- | 5 | L1 | 0.5833333 | 7 |
 Miami |
1.5 | 6 | W2 | 0.45454547 | 5 |
 Charlotte |
2.5 | 7 | W1 | 0.36363637 | 4 |
 Orlando |
2.5 | 7 | W2 | 0.36363637 | 4 |
 Washington |
3 | 8 | L5 | 0.33333334 | 4 |
NBA News
Rockets' Marcus Smart suspended three games for punch
The NBA on Thursday suspended Rockets guard Marcus Smart three games without pay for throwing a punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey.
Sources: Bulls' Caleb Wilson to have surgery on fractured hand, miss 4-6 weeks
Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson will undergo surgery for a fractured right hand and miss four to six weeks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Tim MacMahon: Yaxel Lendeborg needs to be 'go-to guy' with Steph out
Tim MacMahon: Yaxel Lendeborg needs to be 'go-to guy' with Steph out
Shams: Steph Curry to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks
Shams: Steph Curry to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks
76ers Joel Embiid (foot) questionable, LeBron James (back) out vs. Raptors
76ers center Joel Embiid is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Raptors with right foot plantar fascia management. LeBron James is out with lower back/sciatica management.