The Bulls open the home slate against a Wizards team that won 17 games last year, on a date that has treated this franchise well. History says they should win, and last season's 31-51 says nobody should assume it.
What October 24 has brought. Chicago has played on this date six times in the books and won three: 104-96 over Washington in 1980, 112-110 over Charlotte in 2018, and 120-102 over Boston in 2022. The losses came in 1975, 1978 and 2017. Tonight the opponent is Washington again.
Roots in an expansion year. The franchise beat the St. Louis Hawks in its October 15 opener in 1966, finished 33-48, and became the only expansion team to reach the playoffs. Last season's group went 31-51 and missed them for a fourth straight year. Reaching them again is the whole job this winter.
A beatable opponent. Washington won 17 games last year and allowed 121.5 points per 100 possessions, a net rating of minus 11.8. The Wizards are 1-1 and coming off a loss. Tristan Vukcevic, AJ Dybantsa and Jamir Watkins are listed out. Anthony Davis played only 20 games last season.
The bar Chicago set. The 1995-96 Bulls went 72-10, and the franchise has not come back to that level since 1998. Nobody expects that here. Last year's team ranked 25th on offense and 22nd on defense, so a home game against a 17-win club is one this roster has to take.
A rookie in the old line. Michael Jordan went third in the 1984 draft and won Rookie of the Year. Caleb Wilson, taken fourth this year, scored 21 at Milwaukee, seven of them in the last period. Joe Cowley wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times that Wilson is far from the usual rookie.
The Milwaukee template. The Bulls trailed by 15 in the first quarter, ripped off a 16-0 run in the second, and closed on an 8-0 push for a 132-125 win. Tre Jones finished plus-24 over 24 minutes with eight assists. Set that against the 135-92 loss at Toronto, and the swing is wide.
Giddey's open question. Giddey, the top salary at $25.0 million, went minus-15 over 25 minutes at Milwaukee, the worst mark on the roster. Morris Bankston argued at Pippen Ain't Easy that the debate ends with him either creating or being traded. Tonight is another chance to settle it.
Who do the Bulls play on October 24, 2026?
The Bulls host the Washington Wizards. Chicago is 1-1 and Washington is 1-1 coming into the game.
When is Nic Claxton expected back for the Bulls?
Claxton is sidelined by a hamstring injury, with an estimated return of November 4. He will not play against Washington.
