Explore the Chicago Bulls Way Too Early Reactions as they shine defensively in their first two wins against tough opponents.

The Chicago Bulls have started the 2025-26 season winning their first two games over the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic. Both teams are considered formidable Eastern Conference teams coming into the season. With these two wins, here are three way-too-early reactions from the first two games of the season:

The Bulls’ Defense is Good(?)

After finishing 19th in defensive rating in the 2024-25 season and bringing back mostly the same team, concerns lingered about whether the Bulls could improve their defensive level.

So far, in the Bulls’ first two games, they have the best defensive rating in the NBA at 98.1, according to NBA.com. They’ve held their opponents to 41.8% shooting and 104.5 points per game (PPG), both ranking third in the league.

While these are encouraging signs through two games, Bulls’ opponents have shot only 20.8% from three-point range. Bulls’ opponents have shot a horrific 4-27 (14.8%) on wide open threes and 5-15 (33.3%) on open threes so far. To give the team some credit for their three-point defense, they’ve limited their opponents to 13.5 wide open threes per game and 7.5 open threes per game, both are tied for the lowest amount given up per game, per NBA.com.

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While the team is currently the best in defensive efficiency, it’s worth noting the Bulls have struggled to protect the paint, and their opponents have shot dreadfully from three-point range.

Tre Jones was One of the Best Value Signings of the Offseason

The Bulls re-signed guard Tre Jones in the 2025 offseason to a three-year, $24 million contract with a team option in the final year. With guard Coby White sidelined for at least two weeks, Jones has stepped up as a key player in the starting lineup.

After having a career-high five steals against the Magic on Saturday, Jones currently leads the league with 4.0 steals per game, contributing 12.5 points and eight assists on 53.3% shooting.

Jones has demonstrated the ability to handle the ball and make crucial plays during tight moments. Here’s a late-game possession against the Pistons where Jones is used as the PnR ball handler and finds Bulls forward Matas Buzelis for an alley-oop slam.

Patrick Williams Will Be Better This Season

A notable factor in the Bulls’ victory over the Magic was the performance of Patrick Williams off the bench. After a disappointing 2024-25 season, the sixth-year forward has rebounded by shooting 66.7% from the field and averaging eight points per game.

More importantly, Williams has put in a noticeable effort in rebounding and defending. While he’s only averaging 4.5 rebounds per game to start the season, it’s clear he’s putting in more effort to fight for defensive rebounds.

Here’s an example where Williams grabs the rebound before Pistons center Jalen Duren could get it, and Duren called for a foul on the play.

Williams did a great job defensively against the Magic’s two all-star caliber forwards, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. With Buzelis in foul trouble, Williams drew the assignment for much of the game. When guarding each player, Williams held Banchero to 0-7 from the field and only fouled him once, and held Wagner to 1-3 shooting, according to NBA.com.

Here’s a play where Williams fights through the screen to stay in front of Banchero and forces him into a tough pull-up from mid-range.

As the Bulls continue their 2025-26 campaign, it’s exciting to see if the defense can continue to be this successful and if Jones and Williams can continue their good play.