Chicago sports struggled this week, coming out with only one win for the Bulls and none for the Blackhawks.

The Chicago Bulls started off the week with a three-game losing streak, failing to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat. They came back with a win against the Heat in their second matchup, but then lost their final game against them by 43 points. 

A promising three-team trade brought center Dario Saric to the Bulls from the Sacramento Kings as well as giving them a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. Bull’s Jevon Carter was waived, making him a free agent. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers received Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis from the Kings, who acquired De’Andre Hunter from them. 

The Bulls’ first game Jan. 26 resulted in a loss of 129-118 against the Lakers. Guard Luka Dončić carried the Lakers to the win with 46 points while Bulls guard Colby White scored 23. 

The first quarter stayed close, keeping it within five points and ending 35-31, the Lakers leading. The Lakers pulled ahead in the second quarter, gaining a 13-point lead, 69-56.

The Bulls started to close the gap in the first half of the third quarter, bringing it to 81-80, but the Lakers kept their lead and ended the quarter up fifteen. During the fourth quarter, the Bulls continued to fight, but ended up losing. 

In the Bulls’ second game of the week Jan. 28, they traveled to face the Indiana Pacers in a close game where they lost 113-110. 

Pulling ahead in the first quarter, the Bulls finished 33-24, with a nine-point lead. They held on to the lead during the second quarter until the eleventh minute, when the Pacers closed the gap to tie it at 49. The Bulls still managed to end the quarter ahead.

Though the score stayed close, the Bulls kept the lead most of the third quarter. Halfway through, the Pacers matched them at 64, but they pulled back ahead. 

Starting with the lead 85-79 in the last quarter, the Bulls kept a strong start. With two minutes left in the game, the Pacers tied it at 105. An intense end of the game resulted in the Pacers’ win. 

In a three-game series against the Miami Heat, they lost two and won one. 

The first game was in Chicago with a close Miami win of 116-113. The Bulls then took the road to Miami, where they won 125-118. Guard Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 29 points. 

Staying in Miami for the third game, the Bulls were defeated 134-91, not holding a lead at any point. Heat guard Pelle Larsson and forward Bam Adebayo each put up 20 for Miami to win. 

With a five-game losing streak, the Blackhawks disappointed Chicago fans. They faced the Florida Panthers at home Jan. 25, resulting in a loss of 5-1. 

Defenseman Tobias Björnfot of the Panthers led with two goals while forward Tyler Bertuzzi scored Chicago’s goal. Four of the Panthers’ goals were scored in the fourth quarter.

In St. Paul, the Blackhawks faced a closer match against the Minnesota Wild Jan. 27, where they lost 4-3. 

The Blackhawks led the first half 3-1, but the Wild caught up in the second, pushing the game into overtime and then a shootout. Left-wing Kirill Kaprizov won the shootout for the Wild, resulting in the win. 

Against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 29, the Blackhawks were defeated again. Center Connor Dewar led the Penguins with two goals. 

After being down 5-1 in the first half, the Blackhawks were only able to score one more goal from center Connor Bedard. The game ended with a 6-2 loss. 

The week ended with one more game in Chicago against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where the Blackhawks lost 4-2. 

Three goals from Charlie Coyle helped the Blue Jackets secure the win. Blackhawk’s Bedard and center Frank Nazar each had one. 

The Bulls will be playing next Feb. 3 in Milwaukee against the Bucks. The Blackhawks play Feb. 3 in Chicago against the San Jose Sharks and Feb. 4 in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.