The Chicago Bulls have defeated the Detroit Pistons 115-111 to begin the season 1-0. The United Center was rocking for the home opener, and the Bulls led most of the way. This includes winning the first quarter by 16, carrying a 15-point lead into the second half and the fourth quarter, and winning by 23 at one point in the second half. How did the Bulls pull this off against a playoff team from a year ago, and was their formula for success sustainable over an 82-game slate?
Ageless Nikola Vucevic Does It Again
Many of the storylines heading into this season surrounded the youth movement in Chicago. With one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, featuring 11 players aged 25 or younger, fans wondered where the production would come from. The answer? Nikola Vucevic. The 34-year-old center and second-longest tenured Bull posted a monster 28-point, 14-rebound, and two-assist night. This included 4-of-6 from downtown and four offensive boards. While the hype and buzz may remain around the youngest contributors on the roster, Vucevic is the cog that makes this machine operate.
Nikola Vucevic tonight:
28 Points
14 Rebounds
11/18 FGM
4/6 3PM
2/2 FTM pic.twitter.com/lAH3j1AQPM— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 23, 2025
Cashing In At The Charity Stripe
A massive component of stealing this game from Detroit was Chicago’s ability to get to the free-throw line and knock down a high percentage of their attempts. They got to the line 32 times, compared to the 29th-ranked in the league, 19.7 visits they averaged a year ago. The Bulls made 26 of their 32 attempts, or 81.3%, higher than last year’s clip of 80.7%. The clear directive to get to the rim and force the issue inside was evident and imperative to Chicago’s success tonight.
HAPPY OPENING NIGHT. pic.twitter.com/yEKdmKUM64
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 23, 2025
Matas Buzelis, Other Youngsters Have Taken A Leap
With Buzelis leading the young crowd in Chicago, many of the core members who have failed to see significant progress through their first few seasons in the league tonight turned a page. Lil Buzi Vert dropped 21 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in his first game of his sophomore campaign. He shot 7-of-12 from the field and made all seven free-throw attempts. His continued offensive improvement will be crucial to Chicago’s offense.
Great opener for Matas Buzelis. 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, some electric dunks/drives, and big defensive plays. pic.twitter.com/5Qw0cf1G1h
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) October 23, 2025
Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, and Isaac Okoro also separated themselves as important pieces moving forward. While Okoro was non-existent on offense, his defense was leagues ahead of similar guards who have been with the Bulls for the last few years. Dosunmu and Jones combined for 26 points on 11-for-22 from the field, including three makes beyond the three-point arc and 10 assists between the duo.
Ayo Dosunmu.
Illini legend.pic.twitter.com/8kzZowr13m
— Cody Delmendo (@cody_illini) October 23, 2025
With Vucevic leading the charge, Buzelis adding his newly improved offensive skillset, and contributions from the young core across the board, Chicago begins its year 1-0. If this group can continue to hold teams to under 50 points in the first half, get to the free-throw stripe 30 or more times, and lean on a balanced attack on defense and the boards, the Bulls might have something brewing.
