Caleb Wilson Leads Chicago Bulls Past Milwaukee Bucks for First Win of Season
After struggling in their season opener, the Chicago Bulls rebounded with a 132-125 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks behind strong performances from Caleb Wilson and their bench mob.
The Chicago Bulls secured their first victory of the 2026-27 season on Friday afternoon, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 132-125 at the Fiserv Forum. Following a lopsided 135-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors in their season opener, the young Chicago roster bounced back by overcoming an early double-digit deficit and outlasting the Bucks in a hard-fought contest.
The game began poorly for the visitors, echoing their previous offensive struggles. The Bulls shot just 7-27 from the field in the opening quarter, including a 1-14 mark from beyond the arc. Milwaukee capitalized on the poor shooting and swift ball movement to build a lead of up to 15 points, prompting flashbacks to Wednesday's blowout defeat.
Veteran leadership helped steady the team as Norman Powell scored 19 points in the first half, anchoring the offense through the initial struggles. However, the true turning point arrived with the second-unit lineup featuring Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Buddy Hield, Noa Essengue, and Leonard Miller. The bench mob spearheaded a 16-0 run in the second quarter, turning defensive stops into transition offense and capturing a 55-51 lead.
Head coach Tiago Splitter praised the team's shift in physicality as they aggressively attacked the paint throughout the second half. The Bulls finished the afternoon with a decisive 62-44 advantage in paint scoring and converted crucial free throws down the stretch to maintain their momentum. Despite ongoing shooting concerns from three-point range, Chicago shot efficiently inside the arc to secure the win.
Caleb Wilson starred for the Bulls with 21 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, sealing the victory by sinking four consecutive free throws in the final moments. Wilson reflected maturity in his second NBA game by carefully picking his spots in transition and contributing key baskets. Leonard Miller added 19 points and a critical late-game defensive block, while Tre Jones orchestrated the offense effectively with 11 points and eight assists.
The victory came on the heels of a challenging injury report for Chicago. Guard Josh Giddey played through a left wrist sprain sustained during the preseason, looking to bounce back from an early shooting slump. Meanwhile, center Nic Claxton remained sidelined with a strained left hamstring, and several players including Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka worked through their respective injuries to make the trip to Milwaukee.
With their first win secured, the Chicago Bulls look to build momentum as they prepare to host the Washington Wizards in their upcoming home opener.