{"id":593080,"date":"2026-02-09T19:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/593080\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T19:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:10:23","slug":"the-chicago-bulls-fall-to-the-denver-nuggets-136-120","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/593080\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chicago Bulls Fall To The Denver Nuggets: 136-120"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New-Look Chicago Bulls took the floor for the first time in the United Center on Saturday night. The Madhouse was rockin\u2019 \u2014 but ultimately it was the Denver Nuggets who prevailed. Get the On Tap recap below:<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 7th \u2014 The Chicago Bulls<\/a> fall to the Denver Nuggets, 136-120.<\/a><\/p>\n

New Kids On The Block<\/p>\n

The new-look Chicago Bulls took the floor for the first time in the United Center on Saturday night.
They (surprisingly) went \u201cstep-for-step\u201d<\/a> with Denver en route to three exciting quarters of basketball. Players like Nick Richards, Rob Dillingham, and Collin Sexton all made their debuts. They immediately infused the team with the energy and tenacity that Chicago is known for\u2014and has been craving. Moving the ball around, battling inside for rebounds, diving on the floor for loose balls \u2014 you name it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new Bulls got out there \u2014 and got after it. Although Denver ultimately won the game, Chicago gave its fans something to be proud of inside the Madhouse on Madison on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cStep By Step\u201d<\/p>\n

To the surprise of many, the Bulls stormed out and gave Denver a real run for their money. Collin Sexton, the \u201cYoung Bull,\u201d instantly made an impact. He established himself as a vocal leader and walked right into the role as the team\u2019s floor general, with Josh Giddey being out. Although he finished the quarter with just two assists, Sexton\u2019s infectious energy set the tone for the entire squad. When Denver jumped out to a 13-6 lead, the Bulls responded with a 12-8 run to pull within three. The Nuggets countered with an 8-0 burst, but the Bulls fought right back with a 12-4 run of their own\u2014thanks in large part to Sexton and Matas Buzelis.
\u2018The New Kids On The Block\u2019 <\/a>of Chicago concluded the first quarter, only trailing by three.<\/p>\n

\u201cHangin\u2019 Tough\u201d<\/p>\n

Story continues below.<\/p>\n

More Sports News<\/p>\n

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After hanging tough<\/a> in the first quarter, the Bulls came out and outscored the Nuggets 29-20 in the second. Once again, the Bulls\u2019 newcomers brought a spark the team has been missing. During an 8-2 run, Nick Richards nabbed a steal playing full-court defense\u2014then powered down the court for a dunk\u2014a rare sight for a Bulls center. Rob Dillingham knocked down his first points as a Bull, draining a three from the top of the key in the same stretch. It was just very refreshing to see players making simple, efficient basketball plays. Anfernee Simons led Bulls scorers in the quarter with nine points, while Jaden Ivey contributed five of his own during another 8-0 run. The Bulls closed the first half with a six-point lead: 65-59.<\/p>\n

The Bulls came out intent on showing everyone that the first two quarters of play were no fluke.
Jaden Ivey nailed a smooth mid-range pull-up, then Matas Buzelis followed with a three-pointer, before Ivey answered with a three of his own. \u201cThat ball is moving around the horn quick, not sticking in anyone\u2019s hands,\u201d color commentator Stacey King <\/a>observed. His words proved prophetic, as ball movement became the defining theme of Chicago\u2019s third quarter.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Nuggets battled back, though. They went on a 21-8 run in an effort to slow down the surging Bulls. After a timeout\u2014prompted by the refs missing a blatant foul on Nick Richards, the Bulls went on a 23-12 run to close the quarter. It was electrifying. Per usual, it was a total attack from the entire team. The Bulls outscored Denver 39-38, heading into the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead: 104-97.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe it\u2019s over\u201d. That\u2019s what \u201cThe New Kids On The Block\u201d probably sang in some poor girl\u2019s front yard on a brisk night in 1994\u2014and that\u2019s what I said Saturday night\u2014after Denver went on to outscore Chicago 39-16 in the fourth quarter to win the game.<\/p>\n

\"FebCredit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

With so many new players adjusting to the \u201cGiddey Up\u201d style of the Chicago Bulls, it was only a matter of time before fatigue set in. That\u2019s exactly what happened in the final quarter.
It wasn\u2019t due to poor effort, though, and that\u2019s the silver lining. It feels nice to finally be able to say that we saw this Bulls team go out and leave it all on the floor, wins and losses be damned. Give these players some time to gel, adjust, and acclimate, and we could be in for a very interesting end to this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Game Notes<\/p>\n

\u201cthe young bull\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a great showing from the new Bull, Collin Sexton. <\/p>\n

Stacey King spoke of how refreshing it was to constantly hear Sexton\u2019s voice out there, with everything being BASKETBALL-related. No joking around, no games, all business and communication on the court with his teammates. That\u2019s something this franchise has been missing for a long time. He made his presence felt\u2014 vocally and physically. Welcome to Chicago, Collin.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cinsatiabulls\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Whether it was Guerschon Yabusele<\/a>, Nick Richards<\/a>, Anfernee Simons<\/a>, or Rob Dillingham<\/a> \u2014 the new Bulls of Chicago played with an INSATIABLE energy on Saturday. Everything about the offense looked revamped. The players didn\u2019t look as stiff and were refreshingly unpredictable. Although chaotic at times, the team\u2019s playstyle looked much more free-flowing out there. Jaden Ivey flashed his two-way potential. Isaac Okoro looked A LOT more aggressive on offense and seemed to do much better with other capable defenders around him. Patrick Williams (!) showed up. Fans were shocked at the multiple alley-oops thrown out of the halfcourt for Chicago, especially heading in our center\u2019s direction. The defense in the post was far from perfect, but it was nice to see deterrence down there, at the very least. It will be very interesting to see how this team looks once they get their engine, Josh Giddey, back in action. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cook, Ross, cook. That stew smells good from here.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s On Tap Next?<\/p>\n

The Bulls head off to Brooklyn for a road game against the Nets on February 9th.
Tip-off will be at 6:30 p.m. C.T.<\/p>\n

See you there, and as always \u2026 See Red. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n