After a successful 2021-2022 season the Chicago Bulls are back. Going 46-36 in conference last year, the team was sixth in the East Conference.

The Bulls’ pre-season went fairly well, coming out 3-1. They played the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 4 at home, but lost 129 to 125. On Oct. 7 they played against the Denver Nuggets and won 131 to 113. The Bulls won against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 9 115-98. And to finish off the pre-season the Bulls played the Milwalkee Bucks and won 127-104.

The NBA will be officially retiring the No. 6 across the whole league to honor the late Bill Russel. No. 6 on the Bulls, Alex Caruso, wanted to change his number to honor Russel but was  denied by the NBA because of his jersey being too popular. 

Caruso told bleachernation.com, “I did give some thought to changing [my jersey number] this year and the NBA told me I couldn’t because I was in the top-75 of jersey sales. So, that’s like a rule, which shoutout to me.” 

Caruso wanted to change to No.4 ,his previous number,from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

“Probably next year, I’ll look into getting another number,” said Caruso.

The Bulls played their first season game on Oct. 19 in Miami against the Heat. The Bulls starting lineup included Patrick Williams, Demar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu. 

Shooting guard Zach LaVine did not play in the team’s opener due to an injury in his left knee. He is suspected to miss the Oct. 21 game against the Washington Wizards.

At the end of the first quarter, the Heat lead the game 33-28. At halftime the Bulls tied the game 59-59. After the third quarter the Bulls took the lead 96-86. The Bulls took the game 116-108, winning their first in-season game. 

DeRozan led the team with a total of 37 points, and played a total of 36 minutes. Dosunmu scored a total of 17 points and Vucevic had 15 points and 17 rebounds. Gorgan Dragic had 12 points and Andrew Drummond scored nine points in total. Caruso only scored six points but had five rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

The Bulls were away for their second away game against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 21. The Bulls ended up losing 100-102. While on Oct. 22, the Bulls played the Cleveland Cavaliers

On Oct. 24 the Bulls played their first home game, Zach LaVine started for the first time this season. The Bulls won this game 120-102. DeRozan had 25 points, Dosunmu had  22 points, LaVine scored 19, Vucevic scored 18 and Derrick Jones Jr. had four.