Bulls Blown Out by Tanking Pacers

Chicago suffers sweep in disappointing loss to struggling Indiana squad

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:37am

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The Chicago Bulls suffered a 145-126 blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, marking the fourth straight defeat for the Bulls at the hands of their Central Division rivals this season. Rookie Matas Buzelis had another underwhelming performance, while the Pacers, who have been tanking all year, took advantage of the Bulls' struggles.

Why it matters

This loss is a significant setback for the Bulls, who were hoping to build momentum heading into the playoffs. The sweep by the Pacers, a team that has been openly tanking, raises questions about the Bulls' ability to compete against lesser opponents and their readiness for the postseason.

The details

The Bulls were without Josh Giddey, who was a late scratch due to a tight hamstring. Buzelis, the Bulls' first-round draft pick, continued to struggle, failing to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, the Pacers, who have been focused on securing a high draft pick, took advantage of the Bulls' defensive lapses and poor shooting to cruise to a comfortable victory.

  • The game took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Matas Buzelis

A first-round draft pick for the Chicago Bulls who has had an underwhelming rookie season.

Josh Giddey

A Chicago Bulls player who was a late scratch for the game due to a tight hamstring.

Indiana Pacers

The opponent, a team that has been openly tanking this season in an effort to secure a high draft pick.

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What they’re saying

“We need to figure out how to compete against teams that are clearly not trying to win. This is unacceptable.”

— Billy Donovan, Head Coach, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

The Bulls will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming games as they try to secure a playoff spot. They will face a tough test against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

The takeaway

This loss to the tanking Pacers is a concerning development for the Bulls, who need to find a way to consistently compete against lesser opponents if they hope to make a deep playoff run. The team's struggles against the Pacers this season raise questions about their overall readiness and ability to handle adversity.