The Chicago Bulls kick off the 2023-24 season with a home sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Oct. 25, then host the Toronto Raptors two days later sooner than embarking on their first journey of the 12 months.
Final season’s opener took a left flip for the Bulls when Zach LaVine was named a late scratch attributable to load administration — which LaVine and coach Billy Donovan insisted was deliberate throughout the preseason — as he eased once more from a left knee hurt. LaVine went on to doc one in every of many strongest seasons of his career, and he’ll wish to improve upon that effectivity after the Bulls retained the overwhelming majority of their roster to cope with their maximum-contract star.
The main focus of the home opener likely will land on who nabbed the place to start guard job — possibly new signing Jevon Carter, who joined the Bulls from the Milwaukee Bucks. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu moreover shall be vying for the place.
Listed below are some key dates for the season.
Nov. 3: First sport of the In-Season Event
The Bulls will play their first sport of the inaugural occasion in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 3, the first of 4 video video games in opposition to their Japanese Convention Group C opponents. They moreover will face the Orlando Magic on Nov. 17, the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24 and the Boston Celtics on Nov. 28.
The winner of East Group C — and one totally different wild-card crew from the East — will advance to the knockout spherical of the occasion.
Nov. 13: First outing in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks
Going through Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks always shall be a must-win — and must-watch — sport for the Bulls, who will head north for his or her first matchup in opposition to their regional foe. The teams break up their four-game assortment remaining season.
Dec. 12: Bulls host the reigning champs
The brand new-car scent could have prolonged worn off the championship gear when Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets come to metropolis — nevertheless the reigning champs nonetheless shall be a measuring submit for the rest of the league. The Bulls moreover play the Nuggets on Nov. 4 in Denver.
Dec. 14 and 16: Double duty in Miami
The Bulls load up in opposition to the Warmth in a pair of video video games in three days. The ultimate time the teams seen each other, the Warmth edged the Bulls in a comeback win throughout the play-in occasion for the ultimate playoff spot throughout the East — then went on an underdog tear as a result of the No. 8 seed all one of the simplest ways to the Finals, the place they fell to the Denver Nuggets in 5 video video games.
Dec. 21: Victor Wembanyama entails metropolis
The extraordinarily touted rookie will make his first look on the United Heart when the Bulls host the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama was chosen with the No. 1 determine after a season of towering expectations constructed spherical his 7-foot-5 physique — nevertheless he’ll must attend until the widespread season to indicate if he can dwell as a lot because the hype.
Feb. 18: All-Star weekend wraps up in Indianapolis
Indianapolis will host All-Star Weekend, which is ready to occur Feb. 16-18. The Bulls despatched two players to All-Star Weekend remaining season in Salt Lake Metropolis: DeMar DeRozan as an East reserve for his sixth look normal and Ayo Dosunmu as a last-minute substitute for the Rising Stars sport.
LaVine, who had a standout second half remaining season, shall be eyeing his third All-Star selection.
March 23: House stand in opposition to Boston Celtics
The Celtics appear to pose one in every of many hardest assessments throughout the East however as soon as extra, retaining nearly all of their stars along with Marcus Good, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Lower than 4 weeks ahead of the playoffs, this sport shall be an excellent litmus check out for the Bulls — within the occasion that they’re in place to make the postseason.
It will be the third matchup between the teams, who meet Nov. 28 in Boston and Feb. 22 on the United Heart.
April 11-14: 3-game avenue sprint to the tip
The Bulls will face a troublesome closing stretch if they need to clinch a postseason spot throughout the remaining three video video games of the season.
The sprint begins with back-to-back nights in opposition to the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards on April 11 and 12 and ends in opposition to the Knicks in New York to cap regular-season play.
None of these three opponents are anticipated to be world-beaters, nevertheless the bodily toll of journey will add a hurdle to beat.
()