Is this what it feels like to be a good, young team?
Because even though the Chicago Bulls are on a seven-game losing streak and lost again yesterday to the Philadelphia 76ers, this felt like the best version of the team we’ve seen so far. A competitive effort against the best team in the Eastern Conference will do that.
Yesterday, Tiago Splitter also experimented with a new rotation to accommodate the returning Nic Claxton, and we saw flashes of what could work. There’s also reason for optimism with Noa Essengue and Patrick Williams, while Jordan Hawkins and Caleb Wilson continue to add to their growing list of accolades.
Maybe there’s something here after all.
Let’s talk Bulls basketball.
Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images The Chicago Bulls lost 127-121 yesterday to the star-studded Philadelphia 76ers, but it was one of the smallest margins of defeat Chicago has faced this season. It may not seem like much, but if you watched the game, you know it felt like it. The lineups head coach Tiago Splitter rolled out last night looked quite different from what we’ve seen so far. No Norman Powell, who was OUT, Nic Claxton making his first appearance and coming off the bench, and two players picking up rotational minutes at the expense of Buddy Hield and our preseason MVP, Leonard Miller. Starting with that, both Buddy Hield and Leonard Miller were handed DNPs last night, with two-way guard Jordan Hawkins and our boy Patrick Williams getting the nod instead. Somehow, Pat always finds his way back into the rotation. Both of them played well last night, so no complaints there. It’s just funny how it always, somehow, happens. Head coach Tiago Splitter was asked about the decision postgame, and here’s what he had to say:“I think Hawk is doing a great job in practice, he’s working well. Same with Pat. He’s been a professional.”
I just hope Leonard Miller isn’t permanently out of the rotation and that this was simply a matchup-based decision.Tiago Splitter on swapping Leonard Miller and Buddy Hield out for Patrick Williams and Jordan Hawkins today:“I think Hawk is doing a great job in practice, he’s working well. Same with Pat. He’s been a professional.” pic.twitter.com/CJb5sh8hDh
— Gavin Dorsey (@gjdorsey7) November 9, 2026 That game also marked Nic Claxton’s long-awaited debut for the Chicago Bulls. In his 17 minutes off the bench, he put up 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Considering it was his first game back under a minutes restriction, I think we’ll take that. Claxton also showcased some of the interior presence the Bulls have been missing, and hopefully, it only gets better from here. But the best part of Claxton’s debut had to be the minutes he shared with sophomore Noa Essengue. The two lanky bigs looked great on the floor together, being aggressive on the glass and complementing each other’s strengths. Noa finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds but arguably looked the most comfortable playing alongside Claxton.“He’s solid,” said Claxton on Noa Essengue. “I was just talking to him yesterday, he got all the intangibles, quickness, length, just gotta put it together. He’s got a lot of room to grow but I think he’s going to be really great in the league… It’s impressive how he’s able to pick up guards full court at 6’10. A lot of dudes can’t do that.”
The double-big lineup is the future of the NBA, but I don’t think any of us expected it to be Noa and Nic. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.Claxton on playing with Essengue: “He’s solid. I was just talking to him yesterday, he got all the intangibles, quickness, length, just gotta put it together.”Said he’s been immediately impressed with how Noa picks up ball handlers pic.twitter.com/cfEe8lD3LD
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) November 8, 2026 And finally, it can’t be a Bulls game without Caleb Wilson passing another milestone. His 18 points last night were enough to pass Derrick Rose for the most points by a Bulls rookie through their first nine NBA games. A little cherry-picked, sure, but he’s definitely on track to make that franchise record his own. Also last night, Josh Giddey’s 19 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds tied Michael Jordan for the most games in Bulls history with at least 19 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds. Again, a slightly niche stat, but it’s great to see Josh Giddey starting to get things going again.Josh Giddey vs the 76ers:19 PTS 15 AST 7 REB 1 STL 7/12 FG +9Giddey now ties Michael Jordan for the most games in Bulls history with 19+ points, 15+ assists and 7+ rebounds. pic.twitter.com/5wTnvZ5lGQ
— BullsMuse (@BullsMuse_) November 8, 2026BULLS ON BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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