New-Look Bulls Show Grit in Loss to Raptors, Offer Glimpses of What’s to Come
The Chicago Bulls rolled into Toronto looking like a team fresh off a name-tag convention. After one of the most chaotic trade deadlines in recent memory, the Bulls’ roster was almost unrecognizable - and yet, despite the turnover, they showed fight in a 123-107 loss to the Raptors.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a game Chicago was supposed to win. They were short on chemistry, short on continuity, and - after trading away both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu - short on point guards. Still, there were more than a few encouraging signs that the Bulls’ front office might have found something worth building on.
Anfernee Simons: Instant Offense
Anfernee Simons wasted no time making his presence felt. The former Celtics guard stepped into the spotlight and led Chicago with 22 points, drilling six of his 13 attempts from deep.
He didn’t just shoot threes - he launched them, confidently pulling up from well beyond the arc. Simons played with the kind of swagger that suggests he’s more than ready for a larger role, and on a night where the Bulls were still figuring out who they are, he gave them an identity: aggressive, fast-paced, and unafraid to let it fly.
Jaden Ivey Finds His Footing
With no true point guard available - thanks to trades and injuries to Josh Giddey and Tre Jones - the Bulls turned to Jaden Ivey to help steer the offense. It wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Ivey, who spent most of his time in Detroit working off the ball next to Cade Cunningham, is still adjusting to life as a primary playmaker. But even with some early misfires, he showed flashes of why the Bulls were eager to bring him in.
In 33 minutes, Ivey put together a well-rounded performance: 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep, six assists, four rebounds, three steals, and just two turnovers. That’s a solid line for a player still shaking off rust from a serious leg injury last season. His athleticism popped, his defensive instincts were sharp, and he showed a willingness to take on the challenge of running the offense - all signs that his best basketball in a Bulls uniform is still ahead of him.
Guerschon Yabusele Makes a Statement
If there was one player who turned heads with sheer production, it was Guerschon Yabusele. The 6-foot-7 forward had been a fringe rotation player with the Knicks, but on Thursday night, he looked like a man on a mission.
Yabusele came off the bench and logged over 33 minutes, delivering a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. He added three assists, two steals, and knocked down 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
It was, without question, his most impactful game of the season - and maybe the most meaningful of his NBA career to date. He played with energy, physicality, and confidence, giving the Bulls a much-needed spark in the frontcourt.
Signs of Life, Even in Defeat
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Bulls were playing uphill all night. With a roster still learning names, let alone plays, they weren’t running many advanced sets.
Most of the offense relied on individual shot creation, and the defense had its share of breakdowns. But what stood out was the effort.
After falling behind by as many as 15 in the first half, Chicago clawed back to tie the game at 76-76 in the third quarter. That kind of resilience - especially from a team still figuring out how to play together - is worth noting.
The Bulls didn’t roll over. They competed.
Returning players chipped in as well. Rookie Matas Buzelis showed his scoring chops with 18 points and six rebounds, while Jalen Smith added 13 points and nine boards, continuing his steady presence in the paint.
The Road Ahead
This was never going to be a polished product on night one. The Bulls are in the early stages of a roster reset, and the cohesion will take time. But the individual performances - Simons’ shot-making, Ivey’s versatility, Yabusele’s energy - offer real reasons for optimism.
Chicago may have lost the game, but they gained something potentially more valuable: a glimpse of what this new core could become. And if Thursday night was any indication, this group isn’t just here to fill out a lineup - they’re here to compete.