The Windy City Bulls opened their season with a convincing 127-102 win over the Noblesville Boom on Friday night at NOW Arena, and the night gave Chicago’s front office plenty to like from two young players trying to make their mark.
The biggest takeaway came from Dailyn Swain, the Bulls’ No. 15 overall pick, who was sent to the G League earlier this week after an uneven Summer League showing. With Tiago Splitter leaving him out of the early-season rotation, the message was clear: Swain needed more time. He looked ready for that challenge right away.
Swain came out flying in the first quarter, scoring 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and grabbing six rebounds. He opened with a transition dunk through contact from two defenders, then knocked down a pair of pull-up threes to show off the progress he’s made as a shooter. He also crashed the glass for an offensive rebound that turned into a strong finish at the rim.
He didn’t keep scoring at that pace, adding just two more points the rest of the way, but he stayed involved. Swain finished with nine assists and added a couple more rebounds, giving the Bulls a near triple-double and a strong all-around debut. For a staff that appears to believe he can grow into a primary ball-handler, that playmaking stood out just as much as the scoring burst.
The performance wasn’t the kind of explosive scoring night some may have wanted, but it still offered a promising look at why Chicago valued him so highly. Swain’s appeal goes beyond points. He projects as a versatile piece who can handle different jobs on the floor, and while the Bulls would love for him to become a consistent scoring threat, that isn’t the only route to a real NBA role.
Houston Mallette made sure the spotlight didn’t stay on Swain alone.
The former Alabama guard, who went undrafted before signing an Exhibit-10 deal with Chicago, had a quiet Summer League run before officially landing on the G League roster. His first game there was a different story entirely. Mallette led the Bulls with 26 points and finished plus-21 in just 24 minutes, going 8-for-10 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range.
Mallette built his reputation on the perimeter in college, where he shot 37.5 percent from deep over five NCAA seasons that took him from Pepperdine to Alabama. He still has work to do before he gets an NBA look, but a night like this helps.
Teams are always hunting for shooting, and at 6-foot-5, Mallette brings size along with that stroke. He’s one to watch as the G League season gets rolling.
In Other News...
Bulls Suddenly Face A Real Lineup Decision They Cant Avoid
Nic Claxtons return is getting close, and with it comes a lineup question the Bulls cant really sidestep much longer. After missing time with a preseason left hamstring strain, Claxton is expected back soon on a limited workload, giving coach Tiago Splitter a new frontcourt piece to sort through as Chicago tries to steady itself through a difficult opening stretch.
Splitter has already signaled that he wants to test different combinations once Claxton is available, including looks with Claxton and Jalen Smith on the floor together. That kind of double-big setup would give the Bulls more size and flexibility, but it also means some current rotation choices could get squeezed as the staff weighs lineup balance, possible trade options and the best way to keep the season from drifting further off course. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Already Face A Brutal Question About This Roster
The Bulls are only a week into the 2026-27 season, but the early picture has already turned uneasy. A 1-7 start has left Chicago 14th in the Eastern Conference, and the concerns go beyond the standings. The offense has been uneven, the defense has been just as shaky, and young pieces such as Matas Buzelis are being asked to grow inside a team that has not found much rhythm on either end.
Nic Claxtons return should help shore up some of the issues that have dragged Chicago down, but the larger question is harder to escape. Even with a healthier lineup, the Bulls still have to prove they can defend well enough to stay competitive and generate enough consistent scoring to matter in the East. For now, the bigger debate is not just about fixing a rough start, but about what kind of ceiling this roster really has and whether the front office is looking at a team built for more than this season. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Still Have One Lineup Problem They Can't Ignore
The Bulls most-used starting group still has not found its rhythm, and the early returns have left Tiago Splitter juggling more than just rotations. Chicago has some intriguing pieces, but the mix of offensive styles has been awkward at times, especially with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis trying to fit into the same framework while the team searches for a cleaner way to play together.
Caleb Wilsons recent benching against the Knicks added another wrinkle to the picture, underscoring how quickly Splitter is willing to adjust when the effort or decision-making slips. There is still reason for optimism if Nic Claxton returns to steady the rim protection and give the offense another layer, while Noa Essengue remains a longer-term bet on defense, but the Bulls still have a lineup issue they cannot keep ignoring. [Read more 🡒]