Bulls Face Wizards in Matchup of Struggling Teams

Chicago looks to bounce back from recent loss as Washington aims to end skid

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:46pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in progress, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conveying the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the matchup between these two struggling NBA teams.A cubist interpretation of the Bulls and Wizards battling it out on the hardwood, reflecting the disjointed seasons of both teams.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls (29-49) will travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Wizards (17-61) at Capital One Arena on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Both teams are looking to end recent losing streaks, with the Bulls coming off a 120-110 defeat against the Suns and the Wizards falling 121-115 to the Nets in their last outing.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams near the bottom of the NBA standings, as the Bulls and Wizards have struggled to find consistency this season. The outcome could impact the draft lottery positioning for both franchises as they look to rebuild for the future.

The details

In the Bulls' last game, Tre Jones led the way with 29 points on 60% shooting, adding 6 assists. As a team, Chicago shot 45.1% from the field and 25.6% from three-point range. The Wizards were led by Will Riley's 30 points in their loss to the Nets, but they were outshot 48.9% to 55.7% overall and committed 23 turnovers.

  • The game will tip off at 7:10 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The Bulls are 29-49 on the season, while the Wizards are 17-61.

The players

Tre Jones

A Bulls player who scored 29 points on 60% shooting with 6 assists in the team's last game.

Will Riley

A Wizards player who scored 30 points on 56.3% shooting with 4 rebounds and 6 assists in the team's last game.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to get back on track and end this losing skid. Every game is important as we look to build momentum heading into the offseason.”

— Billy Donovan, Bulls Head Coach

What’s next

The Bulls and Wizards will meet again on April 12 in Chicago, giving both teams another chance to pick up a much-needed win before the season ends.

The takeaway

This matchup between two struggling teams provides an opportunity for one squad to gain some positive momentum, though the long-term implications may be more important as both franchises look to improve their draft position and build towards the future.