Bulls Look to Drown Out Trade Noise on Visit to Pacers

Chicago faces Indiana in a key matchup as the NBA trade deadline approaches.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Chicago Bulls, with several players rumored to be on the trade block, will look to focus on the court when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The Bulls are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Pacers are reeling from a defeat against the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams will be looking to bounce back in this important Eastern Conference matchup.

Why it matters

The Bulls are one of the teams expected to be active at the upcoming NBA trade deadline, with several key players potentially on the move. A win over the Pacers could help solidify Chicago's playoff positioning and provide some stability amid the trade rumors swirling around the team.

The details

The Bulls have lost four of their last six games, including Monday's defeat against the Lakers. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu led the way for Chicago in that game, but the team couldn't slow down Luka Doncic and the Lakers. The Pacers, meanwhile, have lost three straight and are struggling to find consistency this season. They'll be looking to bounce back at home against the Bulls.

  • The Bulls and Pacers have already met twice this season, with Indiana winning both matchups.
  • The NBA trade deadline is set for February 5, 2026.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center for the Bulls who has been the subject of trade rumors.

Jarace Walker

A promising young forward for the Pacers who has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I enjoy being around these guys. It's a great group that really wants to be there for each other and play good ball. I would like to see what we can do and where we can go this year, but the front office has to make decisions and we all understand that.”

— Nikola Vucevic (Field Level Media)

“Good offense helps feed into good defense. When you struggle on offense, it creates bigger problems defensively, and that was a lot of what happened in the third quarter.”

— Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach (Field Level Media)

What’s next

The Bulls and Pacers will meet again on February 2, 2026, just a few days before the NBA trade deadline. This matchup could have significant implications for both teams as they look to position themselves for the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Bulls' ability to navigate the trade rumors and focus on the court will be crucial as they look to solidify their playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Pacers are in the midst of a rebuilding year, but a win over the Bulls could provide a much-needed boost of confidence as they look to the future.