Leonard Miller Leads Bench Surge as Chicago Bulls Defeat Milwaukee Bucks

The Chicago Bulls secured their first victory of the 2026-27 NBA season on Friday night, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 132-125 at Fiserv Forum. After struggling significantly in their season opener against the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls bounced back by overcoming an early double-digit deficit through a strong second-half performance and vital contributions from their second unit.

Early in the contest, Milwaukee controlled the pace and built a lead of up to 15 points, capitalizing on stagnant offense and poor perimeter shooting from Chicago. However, the momentum shifted midway through the second quarter when Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter deployed a bench lineup featuring Tre Jones, Buddy Hield, Isaac Okoro, Noa Essengue, and Leonard Miller. That combination sparked an aggressive 16-0 run that erased the deficit and gave the visitors a halftime advantage.

Miller played a central role in the turnaround, contributing 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field alongside three rebounds, two assists, and a block in just 23 minutes of action. His production continued an impressive run of form that dates back through the preseason and the opening games of the regular season, scoring in double figures in both contests despite logging minutes in the low twenties.

Veteran guard Norman Powell also provided steady scoring when the team needed it most, finishing with 25 points to anchor the offense. Rookie Caleb Wilson bounced back strongly from a difficult professional debut, adding 21 points and six rebounds while sinking clutch free throws down the stretch to help seal the win. Jalen Smith recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals, maintaining the steady interior presence he has shown early in the year.

Despite the offensive explosion, the Bulls continued to show defensive vulnerabilities on the perimeter, allowing Milwaukee clean looks from beyond the arc. Head coach Tiago Splitter acknowledged the need for better discipline in recognizing opposing shooters as the team prepares for a demanding schedule.

The strong play of the bench unit also impacted the team's rotation decisions. Forward Matas Buzelis struggled to find a rhythm, shooting 2-of-9 from the field and logging just 17 minutes as Splitter elected to ride the hot hands of reserves like Miller and Essengue down the stretch.

Following the hard-fought road victory, the Chicago Bulls look to build momentum as they return home to host the Washington Wizards.