After dropping two games in a row for the first time all season, the Chicago Bulls faced a tall task: Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite taking a lead into the final minute, two clutch three-pointers by Wembanyama sealed the game as the Bulls fell to 6-4, and took their first loss at the United Center this season.
Josh Giddey missed the game after spraining his right ankle in Saturday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though he returned to the game shortly after going to the locker room, he did not look fully himself, going scoreless in the final 15 minutes.
“I’d say that we don’t feel like it’s anything too severe with his ankle,” Billy Donovan said pre-game. “But I think with what we’ve got coming today, and then Detroit, we have a few days off. He just didn’t feel great today. We’ll see how he feels going to Detroit. I don’t think after the Detroit game it would be any longer than that, is my guess, but they don’t feel like it’s too severe.”
That’s a relief for the Bulls, who are still without Coby White (calf). In their stead, Kevin Huerter (23 points) and Tre Jones (season-high 20 points) manned the backcourt effectively.
The Spurs are not exactly worried about opponents driving to the basket with Wembanyama anchoring the defense. The entire source of the Bulls’ offense comes from the ability to generate paint touches, and to their credit, they didn’t shy away.
After a timid first quarter, the Bulls picked up their aggression and began attacking the basket with more force and intention. That opened up the floor for them to start finding shooters, attacking closeouts and putting the defense into rotation.
Despite the lack of depth without the starting backcourt and two best paint penetrators, the Bulls got contributions up and down the lineup with six players in double-figures. It didn’t hurt that they were able to outscore the Spurs by 18 from beyond the arc, going 16-of-38 on three-pointers.
Ultimately, Wembanyama was simply too good to overcome. He had 38 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five blocks.
Up next: The Bulls head to Detroit to face the Pistons (9-2), who sit atop the Eastern Conference, for the second time this season.
Tune into the CHGO Bulls postgame live show:
White (calf) scrimmaged with the Windy City Bulls on Monday afternoon as he begins his ramp up process for a potential return to play next week. Donovan said there were no ill effects after the practice, but that the medical staff wants to closely monitor his progress as they deal with the finicky calf injury.
The goal for White is to join the Bulls for practices during the three days between Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons and Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz, which kicks off a five-games-in-seven-days gauntlet.
He may not return for that first game against the Jazz, but if all goes well and he doesn’t experience any setbacks, look for a White season debut sometime during that stretch.
“The hope is that he gets back that week, some point, he’ll play,” Donovan said. — Will Gottlieb
JALEN MF SMITH! Gave him flowers on Saturday, but he deserves more. Took a charge on Wemby, and attacked him with no fear in the paint. This last stretch of games is the best version of Smith that Bulls fans have seen since his arrival in free agency. After seeing him lose significant minutes to Zach Collins last season, this is very encouraging.
Speaking of fearlessness, shoutout to Jones. He also took a charge on Wemby. He was stealing entry passes into the post when being targeted for a size advantage. And, as I predicted and hoped, he used his crafty and sneaky finishing maneuvers around the basket to score around the Spurs’ size, which reaches well beyond just Wemby.
Ayo Dosunmu also stepped up in the absence of Giddey. Great timing on his minutes restriction being lifted, eh?
Wemby, man…What the hell is that thing?— Matt Peck
Dude, Wemby is ridiculous. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but my goodness, what a specimen. And I still ain’t like how he played tonight. Wanted him with more paint touches or, at the very least, the free-throw line extended. He should be averaging 40 and 15.
The Bulls have a much better IQ this season, offensively. It’s fun to watch them play chess and Tetris with the sets that they run. The ball barely touches the floor and all five players touch it. The rhythm of the cuts and the trust they have for each other is always on display. It’s impressive and fun to watch.
I did not like Matas Buzelis’ body language out there in the first half. I’m used to him looking more confident and unbothered. That changed in the second half. Much better showing from him.
Smith has been solid and consistent off the bench. The Bulls have needed everything he provides.
Man, Ayo Dosunmu is everything to this team. What a player he has been this season. Doing it all on both sides. Kevin Huerter as well. Their chemistry is evident.
Lenny Wilkens is one of the greatest players/coaches in NBA History. He is the first Black Head Coach to win an NBA Championship by leading the Sonics to the title in 1979. He coached a record 2,487 games and won 1,332 games, which was a record when he retired. He has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame 3 times, once as a player and twice as a coach. He is the only person to be named to both the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team and the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team as a player, as well as the list of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History. He lived an extraordinary life and paved the way for countless Black coaches. Thank you for all you did on and off the court, sir. Rest and Love to a Legend. — Big Dave
