When the final buzzer of the NBA regular season sounded Sunday at the United Center, it marked a clear step back for the Chicago Bulls, who finished with a 40-42 record after a 103-81 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Bulls forward Patrick Williams, left, laughs with center Andre Drummond during the second quarter on April 9, 2023, at the United Center.
Coach Billy Donovan warned in training camp that this season would be more challenging for the Bulls after establishing themselves as a more cohesive threat in 2021-22, when they earned their first playoff berth in five seasons.But that challenge proved even stronger than the Bulls expected. They went from finishing 10 games above .500 last season to a losing record and the last spot in the play-in tournament that determines the final two playoff seeds.
There were no COVID-19 outbreaks to sideline swaths of players. Patrick Williams played a full 82-game season after logging only 17 games last season. Zach LaVine returned to full availability after a brief absence due to his knee surgery in the opening weeks. Alex Caruso managed to ward off injuries and keep himself available for 80% of the season.
But that wasn’t enough to fix the team’s inconsistency, which remained ever-present despite the players’ improved availability. Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan tries to pass while guarded by Pistons center James Wiseman during the first quarter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at the United Center.A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.
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