THE Chicago Bulls full schedule for 2024-25 season has arrived!
Considering the direction the organization has decided to take this summer, I can understand that the release is not as anticipated as in previous years. But the truth is that this season is more important than those that have come before it. Even if winning is not a priority, every game counts for the development of the players and to put this team in a position to succeed in the long term.
With that in mind, I think we might as well take a look at some of the most important games on the Bulls’ schedule this season. From revenge opportunities to tanking losses, there are still some big games worth mentioning on the schedule.
October 23 – @ New Orleans Pelicans
Am I jazzy What do you think of the Chicago Bulls starting the season against a non-conference opponent on the road? Not necessarily, but the season opener is the season opener. By October 23rd, we’ll all be ready to play again. And there are certainly worse openers to watch than the one with Zion Williamson.
As for the opening matchups for this new team, the Pelicans are a good compromise. Josh Giddey will try to keep up with newcomer Dejounte Murray. Patrick Williams will have a chance to neutralize one of the league’s most imposing forces. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu will try to outplay Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum. And Matas Buzelis will be immediately tested by the length of players like Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones.
Not to mention this game will be the first with Zach LaVine back on the court. We all know the two-time All-Star has a lot to prove, and I expect him to prove it.
October 26 – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
If you have to watch any of the Bulls’ first three games this season, watch this one.
First, it will be the home opener. The United Center will be packed and the atmosphere will be great. While I recognize that the loyalty of the Bulls fans probably contributes to the organization’s prolonged lack of eagerness, I will never take issue with fans showing their support. A packed United Center is still one of the best environments in sports, and I can’t wait to see a home crowd go wild for Matas Buzelis’ first basket.
But the stories don’t end there. The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder traded players earlier in the offseason. Alex Caruso is now wearing blue, while 21-year-old Josh Giddey will be a vital part of the Bulls’ new era. I imagine both players will come into this game with something to prove. Giddey, in particular, should have a grudge against him after being left out of the Thunder’s long-term plans. As for Caruso, I can’t wait to see the standing ovation he’ll undoubtedly receive.
A game against the Thunder also has special significance because of Billy Donovan’s past. He left the organization to avoid a rebuild, and that decision undoubtedly backfired. Not only did the Thunder finish first in the West Division after just two years of restructuring, but Donovan now finds himself coaching the kind of team he hoped to avoid. I’m sure pulling off an upset in this game would mean something more to Donovan.
November 9 – vs. Atlanta Hawks
Yes, this will be the first time the Chicago Bulls face No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, but that’s not the only reason to keep this matchup on your radar.
Matas Buzelis is probably excited to see this battle so early in the calendar. The 11th overall pick came into the draft having challenged Risacher on multiple occasions. Knowing he was likely to be placed at the top of the board, Buzelis didn’t hesitate to claim he was the better player. And he wanted to face Risacher one-on-one to prove it.
“Of course I want to see him one-on-one. He just doesn’t want to do that with me,” Buzelis told BasketNews. “His agent won’t do that with me, and I know he won’t. It’s a business decision.”
Asked about this comment in an interview with Shams CharaniaBuzelis doubled down. The two were supposed to face off in Summer League, but Risacher ended up sitting out that game due to injury. This Nov. 9 game will mark the first time Buzelis gets a chance to make his presence felt. If we’ve learned anything about the rookie so far, it’s that he’s going to try to put Atlanta’s new kid on the block in an embarrassing situation.
December 30 – @ Charlotte Hornets
Why on earth would I recommend watching a Bulls-Hornets game during a vacation week? It’s a valid question, but I think I have a valid answer!
LaMelo Ball and Lonzo Ball have only faced each other three times in their NBA careers. The last time these two faced off was on Nov. 29, 2021, and Lonzo got the better of his younger brother with 16 points and eight assists in a 133-119 victory. While there’s no guarantee that Lonzo — or, honestly, LaMelo — will be healthy enough to play, there’s no doubt that this is the most hope we’ve had for a matchup between the Ball brothers in two years.
Lonzo finally started playing in five-on-five action and in contact. Even if Lonzo doesn’t become the same player he once was (which, unfortunately, is likely), seeing him get to play LaMelo again would be special.
January 12 – vs. Sacramento Kings
DeMar DeRozan is coming back to the United Center. I don’t think there’s much else to say. Every time he played against the Raptors or Spurs, you could tell it meant a little bit more to him. I imagine a return to Chicago will be no different.
I can’t wait for him to drop 50 on these kids!
February 8 – vs. Golden State Warriors
The NBA trade deadline is February 6th. With that in mind, I’m sure some would have circled the Bulls’ February 5th matchup with the Timberwolves rather than this one. But I’m much more interested in which team will take the court against the Warriors.
Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic obviously remain the leading candidates for a trade. The Bulls will also have veterans like Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter who could potentially be moved. Even Lonzo Ball could become a trade target if he miraculously regains a rotation role. Still, this game is circled because it could very well be the first without LaVine or Vucevic on the roster.
March 15 – March 24
The six matches played between March 15 and 24 deserve our attention.
– @ Houston (March 15)
– @ Utah (March 17)
– @ Phoenix (March 19)
– @ Sacramento (March 20)
– @ Lakers (March 22)
– @ Denver (March 24)
Unlike most of the contests listed above, I don’t recommend playing these for their entertainment potential. On the contrary, this period could prove to be vitally important in the Chicago Bulls’ race to the bottom. If the goal is to retain their 2025 first-round pick, they need to finish in the bottom 10 of the league standings. Depending on where they stand in the final month of the season, this could be the perfect period to secure a second consecutive lottery pick.
I wish it didn’t matter, but it does.
