The 2021-22 Chicago Bulls season was a significant step forward for the franchise, marking a return to competitiveness in the Eastern Conference. Under the leadership of head coach Billy Donovan, the Bulls finished with a 46-36 record, securing the sixth seed in the playoffs. This was their first playoff appearance since 2017, a clear indication that the team’s rebuilding efforts were paying off. The season was characterized by exciting basketball, driven by a revamped roster that introduced a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents.
A key factor in the Bulls’ resurgence was the offseason acquisitions of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso. DeRozan, in particular, had an outstanding season, averaging 27.9 points per game and earning All-Star honors. His ability to score in clutch situations provided the Bulls with a reliable offensive weapon. Ball and Caruso brought defensive tenacity and playmaking skills, significantly improving the team’s performance on both ends of the court. Additionally, Zach LaVine continued to establish himself as a premier scorer in the league, forming a dynamic duo with DeRozan.
Despite their regular-season success, the Bulls faced challenges, particularly with injuries. Lonzo Ball’s season was cut short due to a knee injury, impacting the team’s defensive structure and transition play. As the playoffs approached, the Bulls struggled to maintain their early season momentum, eventually being knocked out in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks. This highlighted the need for further depth and resilience in high-pressure situations.
Overall, the 2021-22 season was a promising chapter for the Chicago Bulls, showcasing their potential to be a formidable force in the coming years. With the core of DeRozan, LaVine, and a returning Ball, the Bulls have a solid foundation to build upon as they aim for greater playoff success in future seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 46-36
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 1-4
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 2021-22 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| DeMar DeRozan | 76 | 27.9 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 35.2 | 5 | 20.8 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Zach LaVine | 67 | 24.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 38.9 | 4 | 19.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 37.5 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 73 | 17.6 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 31.4 | 5 | 19.4 | 12.4 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 31.0 |
| Lonzo Ball | 35 | 13.0 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 42.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Coby White | 61 | 12.7 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 38.5 | 5 | 8.4 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 27.6 |
| Patrick Williams | 17 | 9.0 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 51.7 | 5 | 11.8 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 33.3 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | 77 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 37.6 | 5 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 23.1 |
| Alex Caruso | 41 | 7.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 4 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 38.9 |
| Javonte Green | 65 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 35.6 | 5 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tristan Thompson | 23 | 5.7 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 51 | 5.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 32.8 | 5 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 27.3 |
| Troy Brown Jr. | 66 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 35.3 | 3 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 18.2 |
| Matt Thomas | 40 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 38.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Alfonzo McKinnie | 17 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Malcolm Hill | 16 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 32.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tyler Cook | 20 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tony Bradley | 55 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 2 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Devon Dotson | 11 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mac McClung | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Marko Simonovic | 9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Alize Johnson | 16 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jordan Bell | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls in the 2022 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks, but their postseason journey was short-lived. Despite a strong season that saw them return to playoff contention, the Bulls struggled to match the reigning champions' intensity and depth, ultimately falling 4-1 in the series. DeMar DeRozan had standout moments, but Chicago's lack of playoff experience and defensive lapses were evident against the seasoned Bucks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2022 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 93-86 | |
| Apr 20, 2022 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 114-110 | |
| Apr 22, 2022 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-81 | |
| Apr 24, 2022 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-95 | |
| Apr 27, 2022 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-100 |
Chicago Bulls 2021-22 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2021-22 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2021 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 94-88 | |
| Oct 22, 2021 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 128-112 | |
| Oct 23, 2021 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 97-82 | |
| Oct 25, 2021 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 111-108 | |
| Oct 28, 2021 | vs. New York Knicks | L 104-103 | |
| Oct 30, 2021 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 107-99 | |
| Nov 01, 2021 | @ Boston Celtics | W 128-114 | |
| Nov 03, 2021 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 103-98 | |
| Nov 06, 2021 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 114-105 | |
| Nov 08, 2021 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 118-95 | |
| Nov 10, 2021 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 117-107 | |
| Nov 12, 2021 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 119-93 | |
| Nov 14, 2021 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-90 | |
| Nov 15, 2021 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 121-103 | |
| Nov 17, 2021 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 112-107 | |
| Nov 19, 2021 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 114-108 | |
| Nov 21, 2021 | vs. New York Knicks | W 109-103 | |
| Nov 22, 2021 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 109-77 | |
| Nov 24, 2021 | @ Houston Rockets | L 118-113 | |
| Nov 26, 2021 | @ Orlando Magic | W 123-88 | |
| Nov 27, 2021 | vs. Miami Heat | L 107-104 | |
| Nov 29, 2021 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 133-119 | |
| Dec 02, 2021 | @ New York Knicks | W 119-115 | |
| Dec 04, 2021 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 111-107 | |
| Dec 06, 2021 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 109-97 | |
| Dec 08, 2021 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 115-92 | |
| Dec 11, 2021 | @ Miami Heat | L 118-92 | |
| Dec 19, 2021 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 115-110 | |
| Dec 20, 2021 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 133-118 | |
| Dec 26, 2021 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 113-105 | |
| Dec 27, 2021 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 130-118 | |
| Dec 29, 2021 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 131-117 | |
| Dec 31, 2021 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 108-106 | |
| Jan 01, 2022 | @ Washington Wizards | W 120-119 | |
| Jan 03, 2022 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 102-98 | |
| Jan 07, 2022 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 130-122 | |
| Jan 09, 2022 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 113-99 | |
| Jan 11, 2022 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 133-87 | |
| Jan 12, 2022 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | L 138-112 | |
| Jan 14, 2022 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 138-96 | |
| Jan 15, 2022 | @ Boston Celtics | L 114-112 | |
| Jan 17, 2022 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 119-106 | |
| Jan 19, 2022 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 117-104 | |
| Jan 21, 2022 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 94-90 | |
| Jan 23, 2022 | @ Orlando Magic | L 114-95 | |
| Jan 24, 2022 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 111-110 | |
| Jan 26, 2022 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 111-105 | |
| Jan 28, 2022 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 131-122 | |
| Jan 30, 2022 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-116 | |
| Feb 01, 2022 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 126-115 | |
| Feb 03, 2022 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 127-120 | |
| Feb 04, 2022 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 122-115 | |
| Feb 06, 2022 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-108 | |
| Feb 07, 2022 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 127-124 | |
| Feb 09, 2022 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 121-109 | |
| Feb 11, 2022 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 134-122 | |
| Feb 12, 2022 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 14, 2022 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 120-109 | |
| Feb 16, 2022 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 125-118 | |
| Feb 24, 2022 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 112-108 | |
| Feb 26, 2022 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 116-110 | |
| Feb 28, 2022 | @ Miami Heat | L 112-99 | |
| Mar 03, 2022 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 130-124 | |
| Mar 04, 2022 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-112 | |
| Mar 07, 2022 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 121-106 | |
| Mar 09, 2022 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 114-108 | |
| Mar 12, 2022 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-91 | |
| Mar 14, 2022 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 112-103 | |
| Mar 16, 2022 | @ Utah Jazz | L 125-110 | |
| Mar 18, 2022 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 129-102 | |
| Mar 21, 2022 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 113-99 | |
| Mar 22, 2022 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 126-98 | |
| Mar 24, 2022 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L 126-109 | |
| Mar 26, 2022 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 98-94 | |
| Mar 28, 2022 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-104 | |
| Mar 29, 2022 | @ Washington Wizards | W 107-94 | |
| Mar 31, 2022 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 135-130 | |
| Apr 02, 2022 | vs. Miami Heat | L 127-109 | |
| Apr 05, 2022 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 127-106 | |
| Apr 06, 2022 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 117-94 | |
| Apr 08, 2022 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 133-117 | |
| Apr 10, 2022 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 124-120 |