The Chicago Bulls have sent shockwaves through the NBA with a blistering 2-0 start to the 2025-26 season, capped by a commanding 12-point victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night. Following their opening-night win against the Detroit Pistons, the Bulls have now toppled two playoff-caliber teams from last season, showcasing a level of depth and resilience that has the league buzzing. With a bench that’s proving to be one of the deepest in the NBA and a gritty defensive identity, Chicago is making a bold statement: they’re a force to be reckoned with.
A Bench That Packs a Punch
The Bulls’ bench has emerged as their secret weapon, and it’s not hard to see why. In their season opener against the Pistons, Chicago’s reserves poured in 35 points, with Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter combining for 29 of them. Against the Magic, the bench took it to another level, erupting for an astonishing 58 points. Jalen Smith led the way with 16 points, followed by Dosunmu (15), Patrick Williams (12), and Huerter (11), with seven Bulls players reaching double figures in the game. This kind of production from the second unit is rare and has opponents scrambling to keep up.
Dosunmu, in particular, has been a revelation off the bench. Shooting an efficient 50% from the field and a scorching 5-for-9 from beyond the arc through the first two games, he’s proving to be a reliable scoring spark. Huerter has been equally dependable, consistently delivering double-digit points. Meanwhile, Smith and Williams stepped up significantly against Orlando, showing they can be difference-makers when called upon. As Patrick Williams told Chicago Sports Network postgame, “We always have the next man up mentality. We see [depth] as a strength of ours.” That mentality is paying dividends early.
However, not every bench player has found their rhythm. Rookie Matas Buzelis showed promise in his debut but fouled out after just 12 minutes against the Magic. Isaac Okoro, meanwhile, has struggled mightily, going 0-for-8 from the field and failing to score in 55 minutes this season. Despite these hiccups, the Bulls’ bench has shown it can weather inconsistencies, with multiple players ready to step up when others falter.
Not at Full Strength—Yet Still Dominant
What makes Chicago’s early success even more remarkable is that they’re not even at full strength. Key contributors Zach Collins and Coby White are currently sidelined with injuries. White, dealing with a calf issue, is expected to return to the starting lineup soon, likely shifting Okoro to the bench. Collins, a valuable big man off the bench, provides much-needed relief for starter Nikola Vucevic. As Tre Jones told K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network after the Magic win, “Our team continues to come together and we’re still not full strength.” The fact that the Bulls are dominating without two key pieces only amplifies the NBA’s shock at their early-season prowess.
Areas for Growth Amid a Stellar Start
While the Bulls’ depth and defensive tenacity have been their calling cards, there’s still room for improvement. Chicago ranks in the bottom half of the NBA in points per game (112.5), field goal percentage (45.9%), and turnovers per game (17.5). Cleaning up these areas will be critical as the season progresses, especially against tougher opponents. However, their defensive cohesion has been a bright spot, with the team gelling as a unit to stifle opposing offenses. The bench’s ability to maintain that defensive intensity while contributing offensively has been a game-changer.
A Statement to the League
The Bulls’ 2-0 start isn’t just a hot streak—it’s a warning to the rest of the NBA. With a bench that can drop 58 points in a single game, a defensive mindset that’s locking down playoff-caliber teams, and key players still waiting in the wings, Chicago is proving they’re deeper and more dangerous than anyone expected. The league is on notice: the Bulls have unleashed an unimaginable power, and they’re just getting started. As the season unfolds, expect this team to keep turning heads and rewriting expectations in the Windy City.