The Chicago Bulls dropped their fifth straight game Monday night, falling 123-115 to the Brooklyn Nets. But despite the loss-and a roster still in flux after a flurry of trade deadline moves-it was newcomer Collin Sexton who stole the spotlight in more ways than one.
Let’s start with the moment that lit up social media: Sexton, after calmly knocking down a free throw, turned toward the rim and flashed a middle finger. Whether it was aimed at the basket, the moment, or just a burst of raw emotion, it was unmistakably Sexton-fiery, unfiltered, and unapologetically intense. It’s the kind of edge Chicago fans might not have asked for, but certainly won’t ignore.
The Bulls, now sitting at 24-30, are clearly still trying to find their footing after making a whopping seven trades ahead of last week’s deadline. Chemistry takes time, and right now, the on-court product is reflecting that.
Their next test? A tough matchup against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday before the All-Star break hits.
Sexton, who arrived in Chicago via a deal with the Charlotte Hornets that sent Coby White the other way, is already making his presence felt. Through his early games with the Bulls, he’s averaging 14.4 points per game while shooting an efficient 48.2% from the field. That’s solid production for a guy still learning his teammates’ tendencies and adjusting to a new system.
In his Bulls debut against Denver, Sexton put up 17 points, handed out four assists, and grabbed three rebounds. He also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, showing the kind of scoring punch that made him a coveted piece at the deadline. That first game ended in a 136-120 loss to the Nuggets, but Sexton’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise tough night.
The NBA has fined Collin Sexton $35,000 for giving the middle finger to the hoop after a free-throw attempt during Bulls-Nets last night. https://t.co/Yo3OGt8HMB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026
And then there was the Nets game-where Sexton went viral not once, but twice. In addition to his free throw moment, he found himself on the wrong end of a highlight when rookie forward Matas Buzelis leapt over him while going up for a block in the first quarter.
It was the kind of accidental posterization that makes the rounds online, but it also underscored just how many guards the Bulls now have in their rotation. Post-deadline, Chicago is guard-heavy, and figuring out how to balance those minutes is going to be a storyline to watch.
At 27 years old, Sexton was brought in for one reason: to score. That’s his game.
He’s an aggressive, downhill attacker who brings energy and confidence every time he steps on the floor. And while the Bulls are still a work in progress, having a player like Sexton who can create his own shot and bring some bite to the lineup is a valuable piece as they try to regroup.
Chicago will return home after the All-Star break, hosting the Toronto Raptors on February 19. By then, the hope is that some of the early kinks in this new-look roster will have started to smooth out. But if nothing else, Collin Sexton has made one thing clear: he’s not here to blend in.