The Chicago Bulls are still sitting on just one win, but Friday night at least gave them something to hang onto.
Against the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago jumped out with a first-half burst built on hot perimeter shooting, knocking down 66.7% of its threes to seize control early. Without one of their primary scorers, Norman Powell, the Bulls looked sharp enough to build a commanding lead over a tough opponent. Then Victor Wembanyama started finding his spots, San Antonio leaned into its rebounding edge, and the game slipped away in a 124-119 Bulls loss.
There’s no way around the bigger issues. Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis still haven’t really turned into consistent scoring threats, and Caleb Wilson leaving with a hand injury only adds another layer of uncertainty to a team still searching for an identity.
But the most encouraging part of the night came at center, where both Jalen Smith and Nic Claxton showed they can hold up against a physically imposing Spurs front line. Claxton came off the bench again, but Smith’s continued rise as a legitimate starting option may end up being the more important development for Chicago. It helps the Bulls now, and it could help them later if they decide to move him.
The center spot was always going to be one of the biggest questions for Chicago entering the season. The Bulls dealt Nikola Vucevic at last year’s trade deadline, then added Claxton this offseason in a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets.
Even then, the concerns never really went away. Claxton’s injury history and the limited minutes he’s logged over the past couple of seasons made it fair to wonder how stable the position really was.
That uncertainty showed up when Claxton missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury, while backup Zach Collins still appears to be working his way back from the foot injury that ended his season last year.
Smith has helped steady things in a way Chicago probably didn’t expect. Normally viewed as a small-ball option, he’s become much more than that in 2026-27.
He won’t give the Bulls the same rim protection Claxton does, but he’s been productive inside and dangerous enough as a spacer to matter. Through the early part of the season, Smith is averaging 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 36.7% from three.
That production hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Golden State Warriors have already shown trade interest in Smith, and with his expiring contract, Chicago should be able to move him before the end of the season if it chooses.
He backed up the numbers against San Antonio, too. Even with Wembanyama scoring 15 first-half points, 12 of them in the paint, Smith kept making himself useful offensively. He scored three first-half baskets from inside the arc and finished with 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
That kind of output probably isn’t something the Bulls can count on in a playoff setting against a team like San Antonio. But they don’t need Smith to be that every night.
What they need is flexibility, and his emergence gives them exactly that with Claxton. On Friday, Claxton’s role came off the bench in a matchup with Luke Kornet, and he still put up 17 points, six rebounds, and one assist in 14 fewer minutes than Smith.
For Chicago, the deadline picture gets clearer only if Claxton stays healthy and available. And if Smith keeps playing like this, the Bulls can afford to manage Claxton more carefully while also boosting Smith’s value at the same time.
The loss stung, but from the Bulls’ perspective, that pairing in the frontcourt may have delivered the night’s best takeaway.
In Other News...
Bulls Suddenly Have A Norman Powell Problem They Can't Ignore
Norman Powells availability has quickly become a talking point for a Bulls team that could use every bit of offensive stability it can get. He was ruled out of the game against the San Antonio Spurs because of lower back spasms, a setback that came after he had been giving Chicago solid production early in the season and helping to anchor the scoring load.
Head coach Tiago Splitter said Powell is currently at 70% health, which leaves the Bulls in a wait-and-see spot as they move toward the next game. Powell has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 19.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, and Chicago will be watching closely to see how quickly he can get back to full speed. [Read more 🡒]
Leonard Miller Is Facing A Bulls Test Fans Didn't Expect
Leonard Miller arrived in Chicago with some intrigue after the Bulls acquired him from Minnesota, and his first full season with the team has already become a small but telling subplot in a rough start. He flashed enough last season and again in the preseason to make you think there might be a real role here, but the regular season has been a different animal, with Miller still trying to find his footing as the Bulls grind through a 1-8 start.
For a team already searching for answers, Millers development matters because Chicago is not just looking for help right now, it is trying to build something sturdier for later. He has said the focus is on improving his game and helping the Bulls future success, and that makes every stretch of inconsistency feel a little more important than it would on a healthier roster with a clearer direction. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Suddenly Face A Caleb Wilson Concern They Couldnt Afford
A night that already carried some concern for Caleb Wilson took an even shakier turn against the Spurs, when Chicagos top scorer was forced out in the third quarter after appearing to have a hand issue. Wilson was seen holding his hand before heading to the trainers room, and the Bulls later announced he would not return, a frustrating development for a team that can ill afford to lose its most productive option.
Wilson had already been on the injury report before tipoff because of right hip soreness, so the hand problem only added to the uncertainty around his status. For Chicago, the bigger worry now is not just how long he might be sidelined, but how quickly the Bulls can absorb another hit if one of their most important offensive pieces is compromised. [Read more 🡒]