New Season, Same Heartbreak at the United Center — But the Bulls' Future Is Worth Watching

The United Center opened its doors for the 2026-27 season on October 24, and Bulls fans got a little bit of everything: a 30-point breakout from the team's brightest young star, a fourth-quarter surge that nearly stole the game, and, in the end, the familiar sting of a 124-120 loss to the Washington Wizards.

A Home Opener With Edge

Nobody circled Wizards-at-Bulls as a marquee October matchup, but Washington showed up with firepower. Trae Young torched Chicago for 25 points and 9 assists, Anthony Davis controlled the paint early, and Kyshawn George added 22 of his own. The Wizards' supporting cast — Justin Champagnie's 11-point, 14-rebound night chief among them — kept every Bulls run at arm's length.

The Bulls had answers, though. Caleb Wilson was the story of the night, going off for 30 points and 14 rebounds on 10-of-24 shooting and living at the free-throw line all evening. Every time Washington threatened to pull away, Wilson bullied his way to the rim and dragged Chicago back into it.

Matas Buzelis poured in 21 on efficient 7-of-13 shooting, Norman Powell added 18 with four steals, and Josh Giddey flirted with a triple-double — 9 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists — as the starting unit's chemistry continues to grow. The fourth-quarter push cut the lead to a single possession multiple times, but the Wizards' free-throw shooting (a perfect 9-for-9 from Young alone) closed the door.

How We Got Here

The opener wrapped a brutal season-opening stretch: a 135-92 blowout loss in Toronto on opening night, a statement 132-125 win over the Bucks in Milwaukee two nights later, then back-to-back defeats against Washington and a 134-99 drubbing in Boston. A 1-3 record against that slate isn't a crisis — but the gap between the Bucks win and the Boston loss is exactly the consistency question this team has to answer.

Why This Season Feels Different

The headline nights are coming from the young core. Wilson's 30-and-14 in his first game in front of the home crowd, Buzelis's smooth scoring package, and Giddey's floor-general instincts are the foundation. Veterans like Powell, Buddy Hield, and Tre Jones give the second unit real teeth. When the shot-making wobbles — and it did in Toronto and Boston — the Bulls need the defense to hold, and that's the project of the next month.

What's Next

The schedule softens just enough to build momentum. The Knicks visit the United Center on October 28, and a home-heavy November stretch — Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Atlanta all coming to Chicago — gives this team a real chance to climb back over .500 before the calendar turns. If Wilson keeps playing like a franchise cornerstone and the defense rounds into form, the 2026-27 Bulls could be a lot more interesting than anyone expected.

Want to show your Chicago colors this season? Check out the shop for Bulls-ready man cave gear.