Gamethread: Bulls vs. Bucks (Preseason) - Oct. 12, 2025

Michael Walton II

Oct 12, 2025, 21:59

Michael Walton II

Oct 12, 2025, 21:59

Updated at: Oct 13, 2025, 01:55

FINAL: Bucks 122, Bulls 118

Starters:

Tre Jones: 8 pts (6-8 FT), 6 ast, 4 reb

Josh Giddey: 14 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast

Isaac Okoro: 7 pts, 1 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk

Matas Buzelis: 19 pts (6-11 FG), 4 reb

Nikola Vucevic: 6 pts (3-10 FG), 9 rebs, 3 asts

Bench:

Ayo Dosunmu: 22 pts (8-12 FG), 3 rebs, 2 asts

Patrick Williams: 10 pts (4-7 FG), 8 rebs, 5 asts, 1 stl

Zach Collins: 8 pts, 3 asts, 2 rebs, 1 stl

Noa Essengue: 5 pts, 3 stls, 2 rebs, 1 asts

Jevon Carter: 12 pts (4-17), 3 asts, 1 stl

Q4 3:05 Bucks 120, Bulls 115

The game has settled into a bit of a frantic pace as bodies are hitting the floor constantly in scraps for loose balls. Young guard Ryan Rollins is making a late-game impact for the Bucks, as he knocked down a shot and then played solid, high-pressure defense that led to Jalen Smith losing the ball. Backup Bucks center Jericho Sims hits his first of a pair of free throw attempts before a Billy Donovan timeout.

Q4 6:57 Bucks 114, Bulls 110

Chicago pulls back within four points behind a big time pull-up 3-point FG from Patrick Williams, who only recently checked back into the game. The Bulls have brought their 3-point percentage up to 31.3% (10-32). They still aren't shooting well, but are mixing in enough timely 3-point FGs to keep pace as we enter the final six minutes of gametime.

Q3 0:33 Bucks 99, Bulls 90

Bulls wing Dalen Terry is ejected following an altercation with Bucks wing Taurean Prince who tied him up on a drive to the rim. Three other players received technical fouls on the play.

Q3 1:13 Bucks 95, Bulls 90

Ayo Dosunmu continues to be impossible to stay in front of, and is up to 19 points, and gets to the line for his fourth and fifth free throws of the evening. He knocked down both as the Bulls pull within five points.

Q3 2:27 Bucks 93, Bulls 84

Matas Buzelis is up to 19 points on 6-11 shooting, including 5-5 from the free throw line. He has knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and has done a good job of mixing up his attacks in terms of drives, jumpers, or moving off the ball. His big scoring night is being carried, so far, by a 14-point first half performance.

Q3 6:06 Bucks 81, Bulls 76

Josh Giddey is grabbing boards and pushing the pace consistently. He set up layups by Dosunmu and Vucevic before another 3-point make by Milwaukee (AJ Green) pushed the Bucks lead to 81-76.

HALF: Bucks 65, Bulls 61

The Bulls head into the half down four points. Chicago's physicality and focus on driving to the rim has created a 18-5 advantage in terms of free throw attempts. This allowed the Bulls to keep up with a Bucks team shooting a red-hot 50% from the 3-point line.

Q2 2:43 Bucks 58, Bulls 52

Matas Buzelis is starting to make a big impact getting downhill and scoring in the paint. The second-year forward is up to 14 points despite being just 1-3 from 3-point range. Buzelis had a big alley-oop dunk to keep the crowd engaged, and is generally doing a solid job of leading the Chicago offense sans Coby White.

Q2 6:32 Bucks 47, Bulls 42

Doc Rivers calls a timeout following the Bulls getting a nice semi-transition 3-point make from Isaac Okoro, set up by a quick decision Giddey. Also should be noted that we saw Bulls rookie Noa Essengue check in early in the second. Chicago's shooters have woken up a bit, as the team sits with five makes from 3-point range after a very slow start (5-18 from 3).

End Q1: Bucks 35, Bulls 29

Hustle and physicality has kept the Bulls in this game despite a severe lack of offense from the perimeter. Chicago is a paltry 2-10 from the 3-point line, but has a 6-to-2 advantage in terms of free throw attempts. Focusing on efficient shots at the rim has helped a cold-shooting Bulls offense find some success.

A late 3-point make from Patrick Williams closed the gap a bit for a Bulls team that will need to limit turnovers if they plan to keep up with the Bucks. Chicago currently has five assists to three turnovers, leading to 7 Milwaukee points off turnovers as we head into the second quarter.

Q1 7:49: Bucks 16, Bulls 7

Billy Donovan calls a timeout after the Bucks drain three-straight shots from 3-point range. Gary Trent Jr. has makes from 26-feet out and 24-feet out, and new Buck Myles Turner has nailed an above the break 3 and a corner 3-point FG in his brief stint.

Q1 (Pregame):

Nikola Vucevic returns to the starting lineup for Chicago, who will go with a starting lineup that again sees Tre Jones fill in for the currently injured Coby White. (Josh Giddey-Tre Jones-Isaac Okoro-Matas Buzelis-Nikola Vucevic).

How to Watch

The Chicago Bulls host the Milwaukee Bucks for their third preseason game on Sunday. Tip-off from the United Center is set for 6 p.m. CT and the contest will be televised on Chicago Sports Network.

Injury Report

Chicago will be without several players against the Bucks. Julian Phillips will be out with a knee strain, while Kevin Huerter will remain out with a groin injury. Yuki Kawamura will miss Sunday's game against Milwaukee with lower leg soreness , and Coby White (calf) remains out, with the return goal being the Bulls' preseason finale.

Gamethread: Bulls vs. Bucks (Preseason) - Oct. 12, 2025