WASHINGTON — In the immediate aftermath of a seismic front-office overhaul, the Chicago Bulls delivered a statement performance, snapping a seven-game losing streak with a commanding 129-98 victory over the NBA-worst Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
The game marked the Bulls’ first outing since the organization fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on Monday. Chicago seized control early and never looked back, establishing a 38-18 lead after the first quarter against a Wizards squad clearly prioritizing lottery odds over competitive pride. By halftime the margin had ballooned to 66-37, and the Bulls cruised into the fourth with a 100-63 advantage, rendering the final period little more than a formality.
Rob Dillingham led the way with a career-high 26 points, providing the offensive spark Chicago desperately needed. Patrick Williams added a season-high 20 points, while Tre Jones contributed 20 points and nine assists, orchestrating the attack with efficiency. The Bulls’ balanced attack and defensive intensity stood in stark contrast to the Wizards’ lackluster effort; Washington appeared disinterested on defense throughout, allowing Chicago to dictate the tempo from start to finish.
The victory carries deeper context for a franchise that has struggled to find sustained success. The Bulls were a respectable 23-22 as recently as Jan. 24, yet they have since collapsed, dropping 27 of their last 34 games. Under Karnisovas and Eversley, Chicago reached the playoffs only once in six seasons. On Tuesday, CEO Michael Reinsdorf signaled a measure of stability moving forward, stating he wants coach Billy Donovan back next season — a clear vote of confidence amid the turbulence.
For the Wizards, the loss extended their skid to seven straight defeats and 23 of 24 overall. Bilal Coulibaly paced Washington with 19 points, while Juju Reese — one of two two-way contract players in the starting lineup alongside Leaky Black — posted 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sharife Cooper added 17 points, and veteran Anthony Gill saw extended minutes amid a rash of injuries that has thinned the roster. The Wizards’ tanking strategy was evident: with the top draft pick in sight, competitive intensity was secondary to long-term positioning.
The Bulls, who improved to 2-0 in the season series, will look to complete a three-game sweep when the teams meet again in Washington on Thursday night. For one night, at least, Chicago showed that even in transition, the on-court product can still deliver dominance — a much-needed reminder that basketball fundamentals and execution still matter, regardless of executive upheaval.