Overview

• Chicago acquired Okoro from the Cavaliers for Lonzo Ball over the summer to sharpen a more physical defensive identity.
• In his preseason return to Cleveland, Okoro posted 11 points with two threes, two steals and a plus-eight as the Bulls edged the Cavs 118-117 and he drew warm praise from former coach Kenny Atkinson.
• Billy Donovan said Okoro can set the tone on toughness but emphasized the Bulls must generate charges, deflections and extra possessions collectively.
• Ball logged just under 12 minutes in the opener and will avoid back-to-backs to start, with Atkinson prioritizing having him ready for the postseason.
• Okoro’s role had waned in Cleveland last season (19.1 regular-season minutes, 14.2 in the playoffs), and he described the move to Chicago as a chance to rebrand his game.