Overview
- On Sunday Josh Giddey delivered 19 points and a season-high 15 assists in a 127-121 loss to the 76ers even as the Bulls shot a season-best 52.3 percent from the field and fell to 1-8.
- Giddey said he had played “the worst eight games” of his career and, according to coach Tiago Splitter, was more effective when he attacked downhill and created shots for teammates.
- Giddey also had five turnovers, including two late mistakes, and Philadelphia cleaned the glass with 20 offensive rebounds, two clear factors that erased Chicago’s improved shooting.
- Norman Powell missed the game with morning back spasms, Isaac Okoro started and scored 12, and center Nic Claxton returned on a roughly 20-minute restriction with a 4-4-4-2 line.
- Coach Tiago Splitter is mixing rotations — elevating Patrick Williams and Jordan Hawkins — while young defenders like Noa Essengue are earning trust, leaving consistency on offense and board work as the key fixes to watch next.