The Chicago Bulls are still trying to find their footing after a busy trade deadline, and Monday night’s 123-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets didn’t do much to help steady the ship. But while the scoreboard told one story, a moment involving newly acquired guard Collin Sexton ended up stealing the spotlight - and not for the right reasons.
Midway through the third quarter, with the Bulls trailing 89-84 and momentum hanging in the balance, Sexton stepped to the free-throw line. He calmly knocked down his second shot, but what followed raised eyebrows across the league. As he backpedaled into defensive position, Sexton flashed a middle finger - a gesture that quickly made the rounds on social media and drew the attention of the league office.
The NBA didn’t waste time responding. On Tuesday evening, the league announced a $35,000 fine for Sexton, citing “an inappropriate gesture on the playing court.” The moment, caught clearly on video, occurred at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and has sparked plenty of conversation - not just about the gesture itself, but what it says about the Bulls’ current state of affairs.
Sexton’s frustration may have been visible in that moment, but his performance was anything but lackluster. He finished the night with 21 points, five rebounds, and an assist, shooting an efficient 6-for-8 from the line. Anfernee Simons led the Bulls in scoring with 23 points and dished out seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a Brooklyn squad that capitalized on Chicago’s defensive lapses and lack of cohesion down the stretch.
The loss drops the Bulls to 24-30 in the Eastern Conference - a record that reflects a team still in transition after a flurry of moves leading up to the deadline. Sexton, along with Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks, was acquired in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets that sent Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. the other way. It was a bold shift, signaling Chicago’s intent to retool around a younger core.
Sexton, now with his third NBA team after previous stints in Cleveland and Utah, has been averaging 14.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season. His aggressive scoring style and high-energy play are well known, but moments like Monday’s serve as a reminder that passion needs to be channeled the right way - especially when you're trying to establish yourself in a new locker room.
The Bulls didn’t stop with the Sexton deal. They also moved forward Dalen Terry to the Knicks in exchange for Guerschon Yabusele, and sent guard Ayo Dosunmu to the Timberwolves for a package that included rookie guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller, and multiple future draft picks. It’s a clear signal that Chicago’s front office is thinking long-term, even if the short-term results are still a work in progress.
For now, the Bulls will look to regroup, integrate their new pieces, and hope that moments like Sexton’s gesture are left in the rearview mirror. The talent is there - but in a crowded Eastern Conference, the clock is ticking on turning potential into production.