Bulls 2026-27 schedule takeaways: Chicago positioned for a beating this season

Economy World


The Chicago Bulls released their full schedule for the 2026-27 season Thursday afternoon, and it isn’t kind to a team in transition.

Among all the ways these youthful Bulls are positioned to take a beating during the season, they play 15 back-to-backs (the league high is 16). They’re also tied for the fourth-most stretches of three games in four nights this season at 24.

Here are three more takeaways from the Bulls’ schedule release:

Lack of exposure unchanged

Rookie Caleb Wilson, based on early returns, undoubtedly feels like must-see TV. It’ll just be more difficult to catch.

The Bulls will play just three national TV games next season: Dec. 1 vs. the New York Knicks (NBC), Jan. 4 @ the Indiana Pacers (Peacock) and Jan. 20 @ the Brooklyn Nets (ESPN).

Only five teams play fewer national TV games than Chicago: the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans and Nets, all rebuilding teams with two national TV games each.

It’s not stunning given Chicago’s roster in an Eastern Conference as stacked as any in recent memory. At every turn, executive vice president Bryson Graham has made clear his Bulls are rebuilding and far from turning the corner. The Play-In Tournament is not eagerly being chased, and the league’s broadcasting partners will look elsewhere in the near future.

With Wilson and third-year forward Matas Buzelis in the frontcourt, along with all the Bulls’ offseason changes, there’s a curiosity emanating from Chicago that wasn’t there a year ago. Certainly enough to be considered a fun League Pass watch. That’s where you’ll need to watch the Bulls more often than not, anyway.

Brutal first month

The Bulls likely won’t sleepwalk through any part of this schedule. But they’ll get punched as early as the first 30 days.

From Oct. 26 to Nov. 16, Chicago plays 10 consecutive games against playoff teams from a year ago, including two matchups apiece with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and the Knicks. That stretch also features games against the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers.

By Dec. 1, Chicago’s three-game season series against the champion Knicks will be finished.

This year will claw at the spirit of these young, rebuilding Bulls. The first month of the season should certainly test their mettle.

Wilson’s draft night peers await

The Bulls rookie planted his flag some time ago. Subtle or boisterous, Wilson has committed to choosing violence when asked about his fellow top-five picks, firmly of the belief that without the injury that ended his lone season at North Carolina, he had the chance to be the top pick in June’s draft.

Instead, Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa, Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson and Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer came off the board before him. It’s no secret that’s rubbed Wilson, competitive and forthright, the wrong way.

“I feel like I’m different than all of them,” Wilson said during summer league when asked why he played four games while other high draftees were shut down earlier. “Not to say they don’t, but I enjoy basketball. I love this s—. I’m going to play as much as I can.”

Once Peterson and Dybantsa missed games against Wilson, the rookie noted he wouldn’t get caught up with summer league as the regular season awaited. He’ll get his first chance to face off against any of the First Four as early as opening week when Chicago hosts Washington on Oct. 24.

He’ll match up with Dybantsa again in Chicago on Nov. 20. Wilson’s first meeting against Peterson comes Dec. 16 in Utah, and he won’t face Boozer for the first time in the NBA until March 13.