Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls
Matchup preview
Last season: too early in this one to read much from it
Matchup odds
No moneylines yet.
Who wins?
Season leaders, per game
CHI
CHA20.2PointsCHI21.7
CHA8.7ReboundsCHI8.3
- CHA5.3AssistsCHI9.1

CHA1.4StealsCHI1.2
CHA1.5BlocksCHI1.5
| CHA | Stat | CHI |
|---|---|---|
| 44–38 | Record | 31–51 |
| Offense | ||
| 4.9(better), 8th in the league | Net rating | 22nd in the league, -5.0 |
| 116.6(better), 7th in the league | Offensive rating | 24th in the league, 111.1 |
| 99.1, 24th in the league | Pace | 2nd in the league, 104.3 |
| 55.2(better), 12th in the league | eFG% | 14th in the league, 54.7 |
| 12.8, 24th in the league | TOV% | 23rd in the league, 12.7(better) |
| 30.5(better), 4th in the league | OREB% | 27th in the league, 23.1 |
| 0.244, 23rd in the league | FT rate | 22nd in the league, 0.246(better) |
| Defense | ||
| 111.7(better), 10th in the league | Defensive rating | 22nd in the league, 116.0 |
| 54.0(better), 7th in the league | Opp. eFG% | 21st in the league, 55.3 |
| 11.2(better), 23rd in the league | Opp. TOV% | 29th in the league, 10.6 |
| 76.6(better), 3rd in the league | DREB% | 6th in the league, 75.5 |
| 0.232(better), 2nd in the league | Opp. FT rate | 7th in the league, 0.245 |
This season's meetings
They have not met this season.
Injury report
Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon MillerQuestionable· back Oct 1Cost -3.0 per 100
Report note
With Miller coming off May surgery to address left shoulder instability, any rehab update is notable as Charlotte prepares for training camp. "It's going good, going good," Miller said. "I'm getting stronger. That's all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing." He wasn't ready to commit to a timetable, and he's still awaiting full clearance for basketball activities with training camp a little over a month away.
- Kon KnueppelQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -2.9 per 100
Report note
The Hornets say that Knueppel will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night on Oct. 21 in jeopardy. Knueppel is coming off a dominant rookie campaign with regular-season averages of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.
- Grant WilliamsQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -1.5 per 100
Report note
Williams will be re-evaluated the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night in the air. Williams will have a difficult path to minutes this season as he competes with the likes of Naz Reid, Royce O'Neale and Tidjane Salaun.
- PJ HallQuestionable· back Oct 1
Report note
Hall sustained the injury in the G League Greensboro Swarm's playoff win over the Maine Celtics on March 31. The big man appeared in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with Charlotte, averaging 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He's signed to a two-way deal with the Hornets and is slated to return next season.
- Rob DillinghamProbable· back Oct 1
Report note
Dillingham, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick, has appeared in 114 regular-season games for the Timberwolves and Bulls throughout his career, averaging 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 13.0 minutes per contest. It's unknown what kind of role he will have in Charlotte, though it may not be a meaningful one, considering the Hornets have plenty of backcourt depth. Dillingham had minor surgery in April to remove a ganglion cyst but is expected to be ready to go to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Chicago Bulls
- Josh GiddeyQuestionable· back Oct 1Cost -2.0 per 100
Report note
Chicago has focused primarily on frontcourt additions so far this offseason with their recent moves, setting up Giddey with plenty of talent around him for playmaking opportunities. Anfernee Simons (wrist) and Collin Sexton are both unrestricted free agents this summer, potentially leaving Giddey with a ton of usage on his plate in the backcourt next season.
- Zach CollinsQuestionable· back Oct 1
Report note
Collins will return to Chicago on a multi-year deal rather than testing free agency. The big man was limited to just 10 games during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest while dealing with a left wrist fracture early in the season before suffering a right toe sprain that ultimately required surgery. Collins figures to provide center depth off the bench alongside Jalen Smith (calf) behind the recently acquired Nic Claxton (finger).
- Dailyn SwainQuestionable
Report note
Wrist
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.4 | 18.5 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 13.6 / 4.6 / 3.6 | 2.2 | |
| 30.3 | 20.2 | 4.9 | 3.3 | 18.0 / 3.6 / 2.0 | 2.6 | |
| 28.8 | 16.5 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 9.0 / 3.4 / 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| 28.3 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 6.8 / 3.4 / 1.2 | -2.1 | |
| 26.0 | 13.6 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 13.8 / 5.4 / 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.1 | 17.0 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 12.2 / 8.2 / 9.6 | 0.8 | |
| 29.6 | 21.7 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 16.0 / 2.4 / 1.2 | 0.6 | |
| 29.2 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 2.1 | 16.6 / 7.8 / 2.8 | -0.2 | |
| Nicolas Claxton | 27.8 | 11.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 10.8 / 5.4 / 2.6 | -1.7 |
| 27.0 | 14.1 | 3.1 | 5.4 | 21.8 / 3.6 / 4.8 | 1.0 |
Last five games
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17 | Lost 90–121 | – | – | |
| Apr 14 | Won 127–126 | – | – | |
| Apr 12 | Won 110–96 | – | – | |
| Apr 10 | Lost 100–118 | – | – | |
| Apr 7 | Lost 102–113 | – | – |
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 | Lost 128–149 | – | – | |
| Apr 10 | Lost 103–127 | – | – | |
| Apr 9 | Won 119–108 | – | – | |
| Apr 7 | Won 129–98 | – | – | |
| Apr 5 | Lost 110–120 | – | – |
Standings
Full standingsMatchups by position
What each defense allows per game to guards, forwards and centers, against the league average. Rank 1 allows the most.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 49.3 (lg 49.8) , 18th in the league | 13.9 (lg 13.6) , 11th in the league | 15.4 (lg 14.2) , 3rd in the league |
| Forwards | 41.4 (lg 37.4) , 1st in the league | 17.2 (lg 15.3) , 1st in the league | 7.3 (lg 7.0) , 11th in the league |
| Centers | 9.6 (lg 10.7) , 24th in the league | 6.8 (lg 7.5) , 28th in the league | 1.7 (lg 1.9) , 22nd in the league |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 47.5 (lg 49.8) , 25th in the league | 13.0 (lg 13.6) , 23rd in the league | 14.3 (lg 14.2) , 15th in the league |
| Forwards | 36.7 (lg 37.4) , 16th in the league | 13.6 (lg 15.3) , 29th in the league | 6.6 (lg 7.0) , 24th in the league |
| Centers | 10.0 (lg 10.7) , 21st in the league | 6.2 (lg 7.5) , 29th in the league | 1.8 (lg 1.9) , 17th in the league |
The box score appears at tip-off.