The Bulls get one more preseason test tonight, and it comes with a very different look on the other side.
Chicago returns to the United Center after a 125-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, a game that featured six Bulls in double figures but also plenty of sloppiness. The ball security wasn’t sharp - Chicago coughed it up 21 times - and the rebounding and defensive physicality still left room for improvement.
For a young, rebuilding group, that’s not exactly shocking in October. Still, Tiago Splitter has to be hoping for cleaner execution in the final exhibition.
The catch is that Minnesota is making this one a resting night. The Timberwolves are sitting Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert, and Ayo Dosunmu, which takes a lot of star power out of the matchup and makes it tougher to draw firm conclusions from the result.
Even with that in mind, Splitter said before the game that his normal starters will play at least a half. Chicago has been committed to giving this group real game reps whenever possible, and that has included extended run for Caleb Wilson, even late in fourth quarters.
The Bulls’ starting five will be Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Jalen Smith.
Chicago remains short-handed in the frontcourt, though there is optimism on a couple of fronts. Zach Collins should be available by the regular-season opener next week, and Isaac Okoro is also trending toward a return soon.
Nic Claxton, though, is still out with a hamstring issue, and his absence has mattered throughout the preseason. His fit changes the way this team will look on both sides of the ball once he’s ready.
For Minnesota, the night is about keeping bodies fresh rather than pushing the pace of a true dress rehearsal. For Chicago, it’s a chance to clean up the messier parts of its preseason before the games start counting for real.
In Other News...
Wolves Just Created A Roster Opening Fans Will Watch Closely
The Timberwolves trimmed their roster to the regular-season limit by parting with five players, a move that clears the books and sets up a little more flexibility as the season gets underway. Enrique Freeman was among the cuts, along with Antonio Reeves, KJ Martin, Norchad Omier and Drew Timme, as Minnesota pared back after camp and worked toward its opening-night roster structure.
What makes the decision worth watching is the open slot it leaves behind, especially with the Wolves choosing not to rush into a replacement. Freemans departure opens the two-way spot for now, and the rest of the group is expected to be available as an organizational option if they clear waivers and head to the G League affiliate. In a season where roster edges matter, Minnesota has left itself room to keep adjusting. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Bench Problem Could Open The Door For Trey Lyles
Jonathan Kuminga has already locked down the starting power forward spot for the Timberwolves after a strong preseason, but the bigger question hanging over the roster is what happens behind him. Minnesotas bench picture is still cloudy, with Ayo Dosunmu and Joan Beringer the only reserves currently assured of regular minutes, leaving the rest of the second unit to sort itself out as the season approaches.
Trey Lyles looks like one of the names best positioned to benefit from that uncertainty. The veteran signed a minimum deal after spending last season in Europe with Real Madrid, and his steady play gives Minnesota a more trustworthy option than most of the other candidates fighting for minutes. His path back into a regular role is still being sorted out, but the Wolves have a clear need for reliability on the bench and Lyles has already made a case to be part of it. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Just Settled Their Toughest Roster Battles Before Opening Night
The preseason ended with a loss to the Bulls, but the more important business for Minnesota came after the final horn. The Timberwolves trimmed their camp roster, moving to 16 players ahead of the regular-season opener against the Heat and making the kind of late decisions every team has to make when the calendar flips from exhibition play to games that count.
Among the players on the move were Antonio Reeves, Enrique Freeman, KJ Martin, Norchad Omier and Drew Timme, a group that included some productive preseason shooting and a few hopeful depth pieces. The cuts also clarified a few bubble debates, with Isaiah Evans and Cody Williams hanging on while Minnesota finished sorting through the last of its roster battles before opening night. [Read more 🡒]