The Chicago Bulls bounced back from a 43-point loss to the Toronto Raptors by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 132-125. They also made a 15-point comeback. It was a case of: it wasn't about how you start, but how you finish.
The starting lineup consisted of Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Smith. In the end, Giddey, Smith, and Buzelis sat on the bench. Instead, Leonard Miller, Tre Jones, and Isaac Okoro played with Wilson and Powell to cap off the game.
After the game, head coach Tiago Splitter explained his decision to use different lineups based on the circumstances, per Will Gottlieb of CHGO_Bulls.
“You've got to see, game-by-game, who's going to finish the game. But you cannot change the starting lineup every time a guy plays well or plays bad. If not, you go crazy; you change every game.”
Article Continues BelowTiago on his approach to the starting and closing lineups:
"You've got to see, game-by-game, who's going to finish the game. But you cannot change the starting lineup every time a guy plays well or plays bad. If not, you go crazy, you change every game." pic.twitter.com/xgg5vQjIK0
— Will Gottlieb (@WillGottlieb) October 23, 2026
In the end, the changing of the lineups worked out for everyone. Plus, they got the best out of many of those players. Powell finished the game as the leading scorer with 25 points and went 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. Additionally, Caleb Wilson finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds.
Miller came off the bench to add 19 points. Okoro scored 12 points, and Jones added 11 points. Also, Buddy Hield added 13 points. However, Giddey and Buzelis finished with low numbers. Buzelis scored 7 points, and Giddey scored 6. Giddey was listed as probable on the injured list before the game with a left wrist injury.
The Bulls will play the Washington Wizards in their home opener on Saturday.