Chicago Bulls vs Oklahoma City Thunder - GAME DAY PREVIEW

The Bulls will have their hands full against SGA and Chet Holmgren.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls open the brand-new season against an up-and-coming squad that is looking to take the next step on its quest for relevancy in the loaded Western Conference—the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. EDT at the United Center.

After a season that saw them finish with a 40-42 record and fall short of the NBA Playoffs, the Bulls have brought back many of the same players from last season’s squad, including starting center Nikola Vucevic and guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu.

Quality additions

The Bulls hope their two additions to the team—Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig—will make a positive impact on their campaign this season. Carter is a two-way terror who routinely defends opposing guards the full length of the floor. He’s also a perimeter marksman who made 42 percent of his three-pointers last season.

Craig, on the other hand, is a quality defender who can guard multiple positions on the court. He also has an impressive wingspan and athleticism that should help him make up for his lack of size.

The wait is over. Our season is HERE. pic.twitter.com/hclqQ9MIAV

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 25, 2023

Key players to watch

The success of the Bulls’ season will likely come down to the improvement of guard Coby White and the emergence of Patrick Williams. The team’s “Big 3” of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic will obviously get theirs, but White and Williams will decide their playoff prospects.

White has the potential to be an explosive point guard who can score from all three levels of the floor. If he can continue improving his decision-making and leadership qualities on the court, he could become one of the most dangerous guards in the league.

Williams is a raw talent that has everyone in Chicago waiting for that crucial “leap.” With his long athleticism, he can be a menace on defense. On offense, Williams has shooting range that could make him thrive in Billy Donovan’s system.

The Bulls’ defense, though, will have to be on point against the Thunder’s superstar guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who became an All-Star and an All-NBA player last season after averaging more than 31 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.

The Chicago Bulls plan to use offensive rebounding as their main weapon this season