2021–22 Chicago Bulls season

The 2021–22 Chicago Bulls season was the 56th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After 5 straight non-winning record seasons, the Bulls looked to their off-season major acquisitions. They signed Lonzo Ball and traded for DeMar DeRozan. Highlights included DeRozan's back-to-back buzzer-beater game-winners, the first ever in NBA history, despite them happening on separate calendar years (The New Year's Eve Heave at Indianapolis and New Year's Day at DC). The Bulls had not made the playoffs since the 2016–17 season,[1] but on April 5, 2022, following the loss of the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Orlando Magic, the Bulls clinched a playoff berth, ending their five-year playoff drought. The sixth-seeded Bulls fell to the third-seeded (and defending NBA champion) Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in five games.[2]

2021–22 Chicago Bulls season
Head coachBilly Donovan
General managerMarc Eversley
PresidentArtūras Karnišovas (vice)
Owner(s)Jerry Reinsdorf
ArenaUnited Center
Results
Record46–36 (.561)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 6th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(lost to Bucks 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionNBC Sports Chicago
RadioWLS
WSCR
< 2020–21 2022–23 >

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 38 Ayo Dosunmu PG   United States Illinois

The Bulls had a single pick in the draft.[3]

Standings

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Division

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Central DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yMilwaukee Bucks5131.62227‍–‍1424‍–‍1712–482
xChicago Bulls4636.5615.027‍–‍1419‍–‍2210–682
piCleveland Cavaliers4438.5377.025‍–‍1619‍–‍2210–682
Indiana Pacers2557.30526.016‍–‍259‍–‍322–1482
Detroit Pistons2359.28028.013‍–‍2810‍–‍316–1082

Conference

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Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1cMiami Heat *5329.64682
2yBoston Celtics *5131.6222.082
3yMilwaukee Bucks *5131.6222.082
4xPhiladelphia 76ers5131.6222.082
5xToronto Raptors4834.5855.082
6xChicago Bulls4636.5617.082
7xBrooklyn Nets4438.5379.082
8piCleveland Cavaliers4438.5379.082
9xAtlanta Hawks4339.52410.082
10piCharlotte Hornets4339.52410.082
11New York Knicks3745.45116.082
12Washington Wizards3547.42718.082
13Indiana Pacers2557.30528.082
14Detroit Pistons2359.28030.082
15Orlando Magic2260.26831.082

Notes

c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference; y – Clinched division title; x – Clinched playoff spot; pi – Clinched play-in tournament spot; * – Division leader

Roster

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2021–22 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 2 Ball, Lonzo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-10-27 UCLA
C 13 Bradley, Tony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1998-08-01 North Carolina
G/F 7 Brown, Troy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-07-28 Oregon
G 6 Caruso, Alex 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1994-02-28 Texas A&M
F 25 Cook, Tyler (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1997-09-23 Iowa
G/F 11 DeRozan, DeMar 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1989-08-07 USC
G 12 Dosunmu, Ayo 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-01-17 Illinois
G 24 Green, Javonte 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1993-07-23 Radford
F 14 Hill, Malcolm (TW) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1995-10-26 Illinois
F 5 Jones, Derrick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1997-02-15 UNLV
G 8 LaVine, Zach 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1995-03-10 UCLA
F 19 Simonović, Marko 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-10-15 Montenegro
G 21 Thomas, Matt 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1994-08-04 Iowa State
F/C 3 Thompson, Tristan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 254 lb (115 kg) 1991-03-13 Texas
C 9 Vučević, Nikola 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1990-10-24 USC
G 0 White, Coby 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-02-16 North Carolina
F 44 Williams, Patrick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2001-08-26 Florida State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 2, 2022

Game log

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Preseason

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2021 preseason game log
Total: 4–0 (home: 3–0; road: 1–0)
Preseason: 4–0 (home: 3–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 5 Cleveland W 131–95 Zach LaVine (25) Alize Johnson (11) Alex Caruso (10) United Center
11,777
1–0
2 October 8 New Orleans W 121–85 Zach LaVine (21) Nikola Vučević (10) Caruso, Johnson (5) United Center
13,909
2–0
3 October 10 @ Cleveland W 102–101 DeMar DeRozan (23) Alize Johnson (11) Alex Caruso (4) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
10,003
3–0
4 October 15 Memphis W 118–105 Zach LaVine (31) Nikola Vučević (8) Ball, LaVine (6) United Center
14,412
4–0
2021–22 season schedule

Regular season

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2021–22 game log
Total: 46–36 (home: 27–14; road: 19–22)
October: 5–1 (home: 3–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 20 @ Detroit W 94–88 Zach LaVine (34) Nikola Vučević (15) Ball, LaVine, Vučević (4) Little Caesars Arena
20,088
1–0
2 October 22 New Orleans W 128–112 Zach LaVine (32) Lonzo Ball (10) Lonzo Ball (10) United Center
20,995
2–0
3 October 23 Detroit W 97–82 DeMar DeRozan (21) Nikola Vučević (19) DeMar DeRozan (6) United Center
18,888
3–0
4 October 25 @ Toronto W 111–108 DeMar DeRozan (26) Nikola Vučević (8) DeMar DeRozan (6) Scotiabank Arena
19,800
4–0
5 October 28 New York L 103–104 Zach LaVine (25) Nikola Vučević (8) Caruso, Vučević (6) United Center
20,972
4–1
6 October 30 Utah W 107–99 DeMar DeRozan (32) Nikola Vučević (12) Zach LaVine (5) United Center
20,668
5–1
November: 9–7 (home: 4–3; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
7 November 1 @ Boston W 128–114 DeMar DeRozan (37) Nikola Vučević (10) Nikola Vučević (9) TD Garden
19,156
6–1
8 November 3 @ Philadelphia L 98–103 DeMar DeRozan (37) DeRozan, Vučević (10) Caruso, Vučević (6) Wells Fargo Center
20,438
6–2
9 November 6 Philadelphia L 105–114 Zach LaVine (32) Nikola Vučević (11) Lonzo Ball (5) United Center
20,936
6–3
10 November 8 Brooklyn W 118–95 DeMar DeRozan (28) Nikola Vučević (13) LaVine, Vučević (5) United Center
19,459
7–3
11 November 10 Dallas W 117–107 Zach LaVine (23) Nikola Vučević (10) Ball, DeRozan (6) United Center
20,910
8–3
12 November 12 @ Golden State L 93–119 Zach LaVine (23) Alize Johnson (7) Caruso, DeRozan (5) Chase Center
18,064
8–4
13 November 14 @ LA Clippers W 100–90 DeMar DeRozan (35) Alex Caruso (9) Caruso, DeRozan (5) Staples Center
17,899
9–4
14 November 15 @ LA Lakers W 121–103 DeMar DeRozan (38) Tony Bradley (9) Lonzo Ball (8) Staples Center
18,997
10–4
15 November 17 @ Portland L 107–112 Zach LaVine (30) Alex Caruso (10) Alex Caruso (9) Moda Center
17,492
10–5
16 November 19 @ Denver W 114–108 Zach LaVine (36) Javonte Green (9) Lonzo Ball (6) Ball Arena
19,520
11–5
17 November 21 New York W 109–103 DeMar DeRozan (31) Javonte Green (9) Ball, DeRozan (5) United Center
21,813
12–5
18 November 22 Indiana L 77–109 DeMar DeRozan (18) Ball, Bradley, Brown Jr., Jones Jr., White (5) LaVine, White (3) United Center
21,586
12–6
19 November 24 @ Houston L 113–118 Zach LaVine (28) Nikola Vučević (13) DeMar DeRozan (7) Toyota Center
16,074
12–7
20 November 26 @ Orlando W 123–88 DeMar DeRozan (23) Green, Vučević (8) Lonzo Ball (6) Amway Center
18,236
13–7
21 November 27 Miami L 104–107 DeMar DeRozan (28) Nikola Vučević (13) Ball, Caruso (6) United Center
21,110
13–8
22 November 29 Charlotte W 133–119 Nikola Vučević (30) Nikola Vučević (14) Lonzo Ball (8) United Center
21,366
14–8
December: 9–2 (home: 5–0; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
23 December 2 @ New York W 119–115 DeMar DeRozan (34) LaVine, Vučević (7) Ball, Caruso (6) Madison Square Garden
19,812
15–8
24 December 4 @ Brooklyn W 111–107 Zach LaVine (31) Lonzo Ball (9) Lonzo Ball (7) Barclays Center
18,116
16–8
25 December 6 Denver W 109–97 Zach LaVine (32) Ball, Vučević (10) Dosunmu, LaVine (8) United Center
21,236
17–8
26 December 8 @ Cleveland L 92–115 Zach LaVine (23) Nikola Vučević (12) Zach LaVine (9) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
17,707
17–9
27 December 11 @ Miami L 92–118 Zach LaVine (33) Nikola Vučević (8) Alex Caruso (5) FTX Arena
19,731
17–10
PPD December 14 Detroit Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: January 11)[4][5]
PPD December 16 @ Toronto Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: February 3)[4][5]
28 December 19 LA Lakers W 115–110 DeMar DeRozan (38) Nikola Vučević (13) DeMar DeRozan (6) United Center
21,560
18–10
29 December 20 Houston W 133–118 DeMar DeRozan (26) Nikola Vučević (6) Lonzo Ball (8) United Center
21,150
19–10
PPD December 22 Toronto Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: January 26)[4][6]
30 December 26 Indiana W 113–105 Zach LaVine (32) Nikola Vučević (15) Zach LaVine (5) United Center
20,475
20–10
31 December 27 @ Atlanta W 130–118 DeMar DeRozan (35) Nikola Vučević (17) DeMar DeRozan (10) State Farm Arena
17,049
21–10
32 December 29 Atlanta W 131–117 Zach LaVine (25) Nikola Vučević (20) Coby White (12) United Center
21,372
22–10
33 December 31 @ Indiana W 108–106 DeMar DeRozan (28) Nikola Vučević (16) DeMar DeRozan (6) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,515
23–10
January: 8–8 (home: 6–2; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
34 January 1 @ Washington W 120–119 Zach LaVine (35) Nikola Vučević (12) DeRozan, White (5) Capital One Arena
19,043
24–10
35 January 3 Orlando W 102–98 DeMar DeRozan (29) Nikola Vučević (17) Lonzo Ball (7) United Center
20,502
25–10
36 January 7 Washington W 130–122 Zach LaVine (27) Nikola Vučević (14) DeMar DeRozan (8) United Center
21,700
26–10
37 January 9 @ Dallas L 99–113 DeRozan, LaVine (20) Derrick Jones Jr. (8) DeMar DeRozan (8) American Airlines Center
20,041
26–11
38 January 11 Detroit W 133–87 Nikola Vučević (22) DeMar DeRozan (12) DeRozan, LaVine (7) United Center
19,886
27–11
39 January 12 Brooklyn L 112–138 Zach LaVine (22) Lonzo Ball (7) Lonzo Ball (7) United Center
21,698
27–12
40 January 14 Golden State L 96–138 Coby White (20) Nikola Vučević (14) DeMar DeRozan (7) United Center
21,174
27–13
41 January 15 @ Boston L 112–114 Nikola Vučević (27) DeMar DeRozan (8) Ayo Dosunmu (10) TD Garden
19,156
27–14
42 January 17 @ Memphis L 106–119 DeMar DeRozan (24) Dosunmu, Vučević (10) Ayo Dosunmu (6) FedExForum
17,794
27–15
43 January 19 Cleveland W 117–104 DeMar DeRozan (30) Nikola Vučević (12) Ayo Dosunmu (8) United Center
20,824
28–15
44 January 21 @ Milwaukee L 90–94 DeMar DeRozan (35) Nikola Vučević (11) Ayo Dosunmu (6) Fiserv Forum
18,013
28–16
45 January 23 @ Orlando L 95–114 DeMar DeRozan (41) Nikola Vučević (13) DeRozan, Vučević (3) Amway Center
18,846
28–17
46 January 24 @ Oklahoma City W 111–110 Nikola Vučević (26) Nikola Vučević (15) Ayo Dosunmu (8) Paycom Center
14,378
29–17
47 January 26 Toronto W 111–105 DeMar DeRozan (29) Nikola Vučević (15) LaVine, Vučević (8) United Center
20,269
30–17
48 January 28 @ San Antonio L 122–131 DeMar DeRozan (32) Nikola Vučević (8) DeMar DeRozan (8) AT&T Center
18,354
30–18
49 January 30 Portland W 130–116 Nikola Vučević (24) Nikola Vučević (14) Ayo Dosunmu (11) United Center
19,521
31–18
February: 8–5 (home: 6–3; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
50 February 1 Orlando W 126–115 DeMar DeRozan (29) Nikola Vučević (13) Ayo Dosunmu (9) United Center
20,217
32–18
51 February 3 @ Toronto L 120–127 (OT) Nikola Vučević (30) Nikola Vučević (18) Ayo Dosunmu (8) Scotiabank Arena
0
32–19
52 February 4 @ Indiana W 122–115 Nikola Vučević (36) Nikola Vučević (17) Ayo Dosunmu (14) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
16,355
33–19
53 February 6 Philadelphia L 108–119 DeMar DeRozan (45) DeMar DeRozan (9) DeRozan, Dosunmu (7) United Center
20,233
33–20
54 February 7 Phoenix L 124–127 DeMar DeRozan (38) Nikola Vučević (12) Zach LaVine (8) United Center
20,615
33–21
55 February 9 @ Charlotte W 121–109 DeMar DeRozan (36) Nikola Vučević (15) Nikola Vučević (8) Spectrum Center
19,099
34–21
56 February 11 Minnesota W 134–122 DeMar DeRozan (35) Nikola Vučević (8) Ayo Dosunmu (10) United Center
20,092
35–21
57 February 12 Oklahoma City W 106–101 DeMar DeRozan (38) Nikola Vučević (15) Ayo Dosunmu (9) United Center
20,072
36–21
58 February 14 San Antonio W 120–109 DeMar DeRozan (40) Nikola Vučević (16) DeMar DeRozan (7) United Center
21,153
37–21
59 February 16 Sacramento W 125–118 DeMar DeRozan (38) Nikola Vučević (10) DeRozan, Dosunmu, White (6) United Center
19,166
38–21
60 February 24 Atlanta W 112–108 DeMar DeRozan (37) Nikola Vučević (10) DeRozan, Dosunmu, LaVine, Vučević (3) United Center
21,236
39–21
61 February 26 Memphis L 110–116 DeMar DeRozan (31) Nikola Vučević (12) Zach Lavine (6) United Center
21,959
39–22
62 February 28 @ Miami L 99–112 Zach LaVine (22) DeRozan, Vučević (7) Dosunmu, White (6) FTX Arena
19,683
39–23
March: 6–9 (home: 3–1; road: 3–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
63 March 3 @ Atlanta L 124–130 DeRozan, LaVine (22) Nikola Vučević (11) DeMar DeRozan (8) State Farm Arena
17,522
39–24
64 March 4 Milwaukee L 112–118 Zach LaVine (30) Nikola Vučević (9) Ayo Dosunmu (7) United Center
21,259
39–25
65 March 7 @ Philadelphia L 106–121 Zach LaVine (24) DeMar DeRozan (11) DeMar DeRozan (8) Wells Fargo Center
20,381
39–26
66 March 9 @ Detroit W 114–108 DeMar DeRozan (36) DeMar DeRozan (8) Ayo Dosunmu (7) Little Caesars Arena
18,022
40–26
67 March 12 Cleveland W 101–91 DeMar DeRozan (25) Nikola Vučević (14) Coby White (7) United Center
21,727
41–26
68 March 14 @ Sacramento L 103–112 Zach LaVine (27) Nikola Vučević (10) DeRozan, LaVine (6) Golden 1 Center
15,943
41–27
69 March 16 @ Utah L 110–125 Zach LaVine (33) Nikola Vučević (11) DeMar DeRozan (7) Vivint Arena
18,306
41–28
70 March 18 @ Phoenix L 102–129 DeMar DeRozan (19) Green, Vučević (7) Zach LaVine (9) Footprint Center
17,071
41–29
71 March 21 Toronto W 113–99 DeRozan, LaVine (26) Nikola Vučević (13) Caruso, Dosunmu, LaVine (6) United Center
21,778
42–29
72 March 22 @ Milwaukee L 98–126 Nikola Vučević (22) Nikola Vučević (7) Zach LaVine (7) Fiserv Forum
17,983
42–30
73 March 24 @ New Orleans L 109–126 Zach LaVine (39) Nikola Vučević (9) Coby White (6) Smoothie King Center
13,973
42–31
74 March 26 @ Cleveland W 98–94 Zach LaVine (25) Nikola Vučević (9) Alex Caruso (7) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
19,432
43–31
75 March 28 @ New York L 104–109 DeMar DeRozan (37) Nikola Vučević (13) DeMar DeRozan (7) Madison Square Garden
19,812
43–32
76 March 29 @ Washington W 107–94 DeMar DeRozan (32) DeRozan, Williams (7) Ayo Dosunmu (6) Capital One Arena
15,922
44–32
77 March 31 LA Clippers W 135–130 (OT) DeMar DeRozan (50) Nikola Vučević (14) Alex Caruso (7) United Center
21,519
45–32
April: 1–4 (home: 0–4; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
78 April 2 Miami L 109–127 Zach LaVine (33) Nikola Vučević (10) Nikola Vučević (5) United Center
21,697
45–33
79 April 5 Milwaukee L 106–127 DeMar DeRozan (40) Tristan Thompson (7) Alex Caruso (8) United Center
20,799
45–34
80 April 6 Boston L 94–117 DeMar DeRozan (16) Nikola Vučević (7) DeMar DeRozan (5) United Center
21,095
45–35
81 April 8 Charlotte L 117–133 Zach LaVine (23) Brown Jr., Vučević (5) Zach LaVine (7) United Center
21,461
45–36
82 April 10 @ Minnesota W 124–120 Patrick Williams (35) Troy Brown Jr. (11) Ayo Dosunmu (6) Target Center
17,136
46–36
2021–22 season schedule

Playoffs

edit
2022 playoff game log
Total: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
First Round: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 17 @ Milwaukee L 86–93 Nikola Vučević (24) Nikola Vučević (17) DeMar DeRozan (6) Fiserv Forum
17,717
0–1
2 April 20 @ Milwaukee W 114–110 DeMar DeRozan (41) Nikola Vučević (13) Alex Caruso (10) Fiserv Forum
17,688
1–1
3 April 22 Milwaukee L 81–111 Nikola Vučević (19) Coby White (8) Dosunmu, LaVine (5) United Center
22,667
1–2
4 April 24 Milwaukee L 95–119 Zach LaVine (24) Vučević, Williams (10) Zach LaVine (13) United Center
22,020
1–3
5 April 27 @ Milwaukee L 100–116 Patrick Williams (23) Nikola Vučević (16) DeMar DeRozan (7) Fiserv Forum
17,506
1–4
2022 playoff schedule

Player statistics

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Player Pos. GP GS MP Reb. Ast. Stl. Blk. Pts.
Lonzo Ball PG 35 35 1,212 190 178 64 31 455
Jordan Bell C 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0
Tony Bradley C 55 7 549 186 27 10 33 163
Troy Brown Jr. SF 66 7 1,055 203 66 36 5 283
Alex Caruso PG 41 18 1,147 148 165 71 15 304
Tyler Cook PF 20 2 200 53 3 4 4 67
DeMar DeRozan SF 76 76 2,743 392 374 68 24 2,118
Ayo Dosunmu G 77 40 2,110 214 256 60 29 679
Devon Dotson PG 11 0 85 9 15 1 0 29
Javonte Green SG/PG 65 45 1,519 276 60 67 32 468
Malcolm Hill SG/SF 16 0 166 29 7 3 2 55
Alize Johnson PF 16 0 121 36 8 3 0 28
Derrick Jones Jr. SF 51 8 899 169 30 25 33 286
Zach LaVine SG 67 67 2,328 308 303 41 23 1,635
Mac McClung SG 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 2
Alfonzo McKinnie SF 17 3 206 33 5 2 3 59
Marko Simonović C 9 0 35 10 0 1 1 17
Matt Thomas SG 40 0 459 50 20 8 3 161
Tristan Thompson C 23 3 376 109 14 12 7 130
Nikola Vučević C 73 73 2,418 804 236 70 71 1,288
Coby White PG 61 17 1,675 182 176 29 11 772
Patrick Williams PF 17 9 422 69 15 9 9 153

After all games.[7]
Waived during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

References

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  1. ^ "Young, White help Bulls top starter-less Bucks 118-112". ESPN.com. May 16, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.,
  2. ^ Schaefer, Rob (April 5, 2022). "Bulls Clinch First NBA Playoff Berth in Five Years". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "2021 NBA draft order: Complete picks for the first and second round". ESPN.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "NBA reschedules 11 games postponed in December". NBA.com. January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Bulls' next 2 games postponed due to Health & Safety Protocols". NBA.com. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "NBA postpones Raptors-Bulls tonight, Nets-Blazers on Thursday". NBA.com. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "2021-22 Chicago Bulls Roster and Regular season Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.