What we learned from the Chicago Bulls' 20-point loss to Oklahoma City

A look at the key takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' defeat against Oklahoma City.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls started the season in the worst way possible, suffering a 20-point rout at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the season opener on Wednesday night at the United Center. Here are a couple of notable things from the lopsided loss:

Zach LaVine’s struggled

The Bulls’ All-Star guard had a rough first game, battling foul trouble in the first half, forcing him to sit down for all but 10 minutes in the first half. He struggled to find the basket, missing 12 of his 16 attempts from the field to finish with just 16 points. 

He also went 2-of-9 from beyond the arc and committed four turnovers. The only saving grace from this game was his flawless night from the charity stripe (6-of-6). LaVine, though, didn’t seem all that bothered by the subpar night, blaming the foul trouble for his struggles.

“I missed a couple shots,” LaVine said. “I didn’t feel like I struggled. I got to the foul line pretty easily and then got in some foul trouble and didn’t get to play in the second quarter.”

Pat Williams creates the second-chance bucket.@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/rHTuzU7eKV

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 26, 2023

Early drama

It didn’t take long for trouble to bubble up to the surface for the Bulls. With the Bulls struggling to stay close to the Thunder, coach Billy Donovan subbed out All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. This didn’t sit well with the latter, who had some choice words for his coach on the bench.

Video of Billy Donovan & Nikola Vucevic getting into on the bench pic.twitter.com/aJGVHHJpju

— Gustavo (@iamvega1982) October 26, 2023

"Just unhappy with the stuff we were doing," Vucevic said. “I expressed it maybe a little more aggressive than I should have at that moment of the game. Heat of the moment, trying to help the team win. I didn’t like what was going on. We talked it out.”

After the game, Donovan diffused the situation, saying the both of them could have handled it better.

“I talked to [Vucevic] about it," Donovan said. “I’ve said it before, I think confrontation is good. He’s probably not wrong for feeling like that. Maybe I could have handled it better with him, and he could have handled it better with me. I don’t blame him. I think it’s healthy, and it needs to happen.”

Chicago Bulls suffer 20-point rout at the hands of Oklahoma City in season-opener