The NBA Cup officially begins on Friday, and the Bulls are in a loaded East Group C.

Chicago will play a round-robin format against the Charlotte Hornets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics. NBA Cup games will be held over the next four weeks, with the games largely being played on Fridays.

The Bulls open their NBA Cup slate with their second game in five days against the Celtics. Boston previously came away with a 134-99 victory on Monday, in which the Celtics knocked down 21 three-pointers on 44 attempts. Celtics guard Payton Pritchard led the way with 28 points on seven made threes off the bench.

Each of the six NBA Cup group champions will advance to the quarterfinals, as well as one wild card team in each conference. The quarterfinals and semifinals will both be held in team markets, while the NBA Cup Championship moves from its prior home in Las Vegas to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the first time. Last season, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the Championship game, which foreshadowed the eventual NBA Finals result.

Norman Powell currently leads the 1-4 Bulls with 21.6 points per game, while No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson trails the veteran slightly with an average of 20.8 points. Wilson is also averaging 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, though he has struggled with efficiency early in his NBA career.

Here's everything you need to know before the Bulls face the Celtics in their NBA Cup opener:

Chicago Bulls (1-4) at Boston Celtics (3-1)

Location: TD Garden | Boston, Mass.

Tipoff: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT

TV: Chicago Sports Network | Announcers: Adam Amin, Scott Williams

Radio: 104.3 FM The Score | Announcers: Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington

Betting Line (FanDuel): Celtics -14.5 (-105), Bulls +14.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Celtics -900, Bulls +610

Over/Under: 235.5 

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F Tobe Awaka: Available (Left Ankle Sprain)

C Nic Claxton: Out (Left Hamstring Strain)

F Jalen Smith: Available (Left Finger Sprain)

G Dailyn Swain: Out (Right Lower Back Soreness)

F Patrick Williams: Available (Groin Soreness)

G Devin Carter: Out (Illness)