Celtics Fall to Bulls in Chicago, But Don’t Expect Excuses from This Group
Coming off a grueling double-overtime win in Brooklyn, the Celtics landed in Chicago with heavy legs and a light turnaround. Less than 24 hours separated the final buzzer at Barclays Center from tipoff at United Center, and the nine-degree Chicago chill wasn’t the only thing waiting for them - the Bulls brought the heat from deep.
Boston’s 114-111 loss on Saturday night wasn’t just a product of fatigue, though. The Celtics know that. And they’re not leaning on that storyline, even if it would be an easy one to tell.
“Obviously, those things can play a factor, but we’re not gonna give ourselves any of those types of excuses,” said Anfernee Simons postgame.
That mindset has defined this Celtics team all season - resilient, focused, and unwilling to let circumstances dictate expectations. But that doesn’t change what happened on the court.
Bulls Torch Boston from Deep
The biggest issue? Perimeter defense - or the lack of it.
Chicago hit 21 threes on the night, tying the most Boston has allowed all season. For a Bulls team that averages just 14.6 made threes per game, that’s a massive spike - and a red flag for a Celtics defense that usually prides itself on chasing shooters off the line.
Colby White led the charge, hitting four of his five threes off the bounce or in transition. He was dynamic, probing Boston’s switching schemes and exploiting every hesitation.
But he wasn’t alone. Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, and Ayo Dosunmu all found rhythm from deep, often in motion, often with too much space.
It wasn’t just one breakdown - it was a pattern. The Bulls consistently found clean looks, whether in early offense or off a well-timed screen. And while Boston’s defense has typically been among the league’s best at closing out, this one got away from them.
Offense Couldn’t Match the Barrage
Boston tried to keep pace, but the shots just didn’t fall. The Celtics went 15-of-47 from three, good for just 31.9%. That’s not going to cut it when the other team is hitting 21 from beyond the arc.
Still, the game was there for the taking in the final minutes.
The Bulls missed seven straight threes in the last five minutes, opening the door for a Celtics comeback. With 24 seconds left and the score tied at 111, the odds seemed to tilt toward overtime - or at least a final Boston possession with a chance to steal one.
But then came the dagger.
Kevin Huerter, quiet for much of the night, found himself alone in the left corner - the very same spot where Hugo González buried a clutch three in Brooklyn the night before. This time, the script flipped. Huerter’s shot splashed through, giving Chicago the lead with seconds remaining and leaving Boston with no time to mount a response.
In Brooklyn, a corner three gave the Celtics life. In Chicago, it took it away.
No Excuses, Just Accountability
Yes, the Celtics were gassed. Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Simons had all logged close to 40 minutes the night before.
Yes, the schedule was brutal. But don’t expect anyone in that locker room to hide behind it.
“We know we came here to play a game, and we came here fully expecting to win, no matter the cost, no matter what obstacles we had to go through before the game - the night before, it doesn’t really matter,” Simons said. “We’ve got to come together and win a ballgame. That’s the attitude we have.”
That’s been the Celtics’ identity all season - no excuses, no shortcuts, just accountability. Whether it was Jayson Tatum’s injury, offseason questions about the team’s direction, or the nightly grind of the NBA schedule, this group has leaned into the challenge.
Saturday night was a stumble, no doubt. But it wasn’t a collapse. And it certainly wasn’t a moral defeat.
The Celtics know what went wrong - and they’ll own it. Because for a team with championship aspirations, the standard doesn’t change based on the calendar or the city.
They’re not here to feel sorry for themselves. They’re here to compete.