The 2015-16 Chicago Bulls season was a transitional period for the franchise, marked by both hope and disappointment. Under the new leadership of head coach Fred Hoiberg, who replaced Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls aimed to adopt a faster-paced, more offense-oriented style of play. However, the season was characterized by inconsistency and underperformance, culminating in a 42-40 record that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
One of the major storylines of the season was the health and performance of Derrick Rose. The former MVP showed flashes of his old brilliance but struggled with injuries and consistency, averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. The emergence of Jimmy Butler as the team’s leader was a positive development; Butler continued to establish himself as one of the league’s premier two-way players, averaging 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Despite his efforts, the team struggled to find cohesion and consistency on both ends of the court.
The Bulls’ roster featured a mix of veteran presence and young talent. Pau Gasol delivered solid performances, averaging a double-double with 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, while Joakim Noah’s season was marred by injuries, limiting his impact. The team also saw contributions from players like Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic, although the bench’s overall production was inconsistent.
Defensively, the Bulls were a shadow of their former selves, failing to maintain the intensity and discipline that had been a hallmark in previous years. This decline, coupled with offensive struggles and a lack of identity, led to their inability to secure a spot in the postseason. The 2015-16 season ultimately served as a catalyst for significant changes in the following years, as the Bulls began to reevaluate their roster and long-term strategy.
- Regular Season Record: 42-40
- Playoff Result:
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 2015-16 Season
Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
Jimmy Butler | 67 | 20.9 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 31.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Pau Gasol | 72 | 16.5 | 11.0 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 34.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Derrick Rose | 66 | 16.4 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 29.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Nikola Mirotić | 66 | 11.8 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 39.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Doug McDermott | 81 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 42.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Taj Gibson | 73 | 8.6 | 6.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
E'Twaun Moore | 59 | 7.5 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 45.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Mike Dunleavy | 31 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 39.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Aaron Brooks | 69 | 7.1 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 35.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Bobby Portis | 62 | 7.0 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Justin Holiday | 27 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 43.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Tony Snell | 64 | 5.3 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 36.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Joakim Noah | 29 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Kirk Hinrich | 35 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 41.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Cristiano Felício | 31 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Cameron Bairstow | 18 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

Chicago Bulls 2015-16 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2015-16 season for the Chicago Bulls.
Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
---|---|---|---|
Oct 27, 2015 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 97-95 | |
Oct 28, 2015 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 115-100 | |
Oct 30, 2015 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 98-94 | |
Nov 01, 2015 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 92-87 | |
Nov 03, 2015 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 130-105 | |
Nov 05, 2015 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 104-98 | |
Nov 07, 2015 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 102-93 | |
Nov 09, 2015 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-88 | |
Nov 13, 2015 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 102-97 | |
Nov 16, 2015 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 96-95 | |
Nov 18, 2015 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 103-97 | |
Nov 20, 2015 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 106-94 | |
Nov 24, 2015 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 93-88 | |
Nov 27, 2015 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-92 | |
Nov 30, 2015 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 92-89 | |
Dec 02, 2015 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 99-90 | |
Dec 05, 2015 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 102-96 | |
Dec 07, 2015 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 103-101 | |
Dec 09, 2015 | @ Boston Celtics | L 105-100 | |
Dec 10, 2015 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 83-80 | |
Dec 12, 2015 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 98-94 | |
Dec 14, 2015 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-96 | |
Dec 16, 2015 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 98-85 | |
Dec 18, 2015 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 147-144 | |
Dec 19, 2015 | @ New York Knicks | L 107-91 | |
Dec 21, 2015 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | L 105-102 | |
Dec 25, 2015 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 105-96 | |
Dec 26, 2015 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 118-111 | |
Dec 28, 2015 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 104-97 | |
Dec 30, 2015 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-100 | |
Jan 01, 2016 | vs. New York Knicks | W 108-81 | |
Jan 03, 2016 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 115-113 | |
Jan 05, 2016 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 117-106 | |
Jan 07, 2016 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 101-92 | |
Jan 09, 2016 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 120-105 | |
Jan 11, 2016 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 114-100 | |
Jan 12, 2016 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-101 | |
Jan 14, 2016 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-111 | |
Jan 15, 2016 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 83-77 | |
Jan 18, 2016 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 111-101 | |
Jan 20, 2016 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 125-94 | |
Jan 22, 2016 | @ Boston Celtics | L 110-101 | |
Jan 23, 2016 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 96-83 | |
Jan 25, 2016 | vs. Miami Heat | L 89-84 | |
Jan 28, 2016 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-91 | |
Jan 31, 2016 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 120-93 | |
Feb 01, 2016 | @ Utah Jazz | L 105-96 | |
Feb 03, 2016 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 107-102 | |
Feb 05, 2016 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 115-110 | |
Feb 06, 2016 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 112-105 | |
Feb 08, 2016 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 108-91 | |
Feb 10, 2016 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 113-90 | |
Feb 18, 2016 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 106-95 | |
Feb 19, 2016 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 116-106 | |
Feb 21, 2016 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 126-115 | |
Feb 24, 2016 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 109-104 | |
Feb 26, 2016 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 103-88 | |
Feb 27, 2016 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 103-95 | |
Mar 01, 2016 | @ Miami Heat | L 129-111 | |
Mar 02, 2016 | @ Orlando Magic | L 102-89 | |
Mar 05, 2016 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 108-100 | |
Mar 07, 2016 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 100-90 | |
Mar 10, 2016 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 109-101 | |
Mar 11, 2016 | vs. Miami Heat | L 118-96 | |
Mar 14, 2016 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 109-107 | |
Mar 16, 2016 | @ Washington Wizards | L 117-96 | |
Mar 17, 2016 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 118-102 | |
Mar 19, 2016 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 92-85 | |
Mar 21, 2016 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 109-102 | |
Mar 23, 2016 | vs. New York Knicks | L 115-107 | |
Mar 24, 2016 | @ New York Knicks | L 106-94 | |
Mar 26, 2016 | @ Orlando Magic | L 111-89 | |
Mar 28, 2016 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 102-100 | |
Mar 29, 2016 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 98-96 | |
Mar 31, 2016 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-100 | |
Apr 02, 2016 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 94-90 | |
Apr 03, 2016 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-98 | |
Apr 05, 2016 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 108-92 | |
Apr 07, 2016 | @ Miami Heat | L 106-98 | |
Apr 09, 2016 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-102 | |
Apr 11, 2016 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 121-116 | |
Apr 13, 2016 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-105 |