Boston Celtics Cruise Past Chicago Bulls: Five Reasons Why They Won Easily

The Celtics offense was firing on all cylinders as they cruised to an easy win over the Bulls before the All-Star break.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Boston Celtics had little trouble dispatching the Chicago Bulls, winning 127-94 in a game that was never really close. Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard led the way offensively for the Celtics, who had their best offensive rating in over a month. The Bulls, missing key players, struggled to find any rhythm, while Nikola Vucevic and Jordan Walsh were bright spots in defeat.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the Celtics' offensive firepower and their ability to dominate lesser opponents, an important trait as they look to secure a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. For the Bulls, the loss raises more questions about their roster construction and direction after a confusing trade deadline.

The details

The Celtics got off to a sloppy start but then went on a 23-6 run to close the first quarter up 9 points. They then extended that run to 32-8 in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulls 36-17 in the period to take a 72-44 halftime lead. The Celtics' offense was clicking, with Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard combining for 22 first-quarter points. Boston's ball movement was excellent, leading to open looks and efficient scoring. Meanwhile, the Bulls struggled, with Anfernee Simons failing to make an impact. Nikola Vucevic did have a solid game for Chicago, but it wasn't enough to keep the game competitive.

  • The game took place on February 12, 2026, right before the NBA All-Star break.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who led the team with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Payton Pritchard

A key bench player for the Celtics who scored 22 points and provided a spark off the bench.

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center for the Chicago Bulls who had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists in the losing effort.

Anfernee Simons

A guard for the Chicago Bulls who failed to make an impact, struggling throughout the game.

Jordan Walsh

A forward for the Chicago Bulls who had a strong game, finishing with 16 points, 4 offensive rebounds, and 3 steals.

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What they’re saying

“It's just coming in and making an impact right away. Everyone's got different roles and responsibilities, and his is when you come in, you've got to help us go on a run. You've got to do something, whether it's an offensive rebound, steal, deflection, block. So he takes his role serious, and I thought he was tremendous tonight on both ends of the floor.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics (SI.com)

“[Vucevic] was much more comfortable today. It's always good to get out and practice and be able to do that, and he values the details and wants to get it right. So he put a lot of preparation into it and looked much better tonight.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics (SI.com)

What’s next

The Celtics will look to carry their strong play into the second half of the season as they aim to secure a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls, meanwhile, will need to regroup and determine their direction after a disappointing trade deadline.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Celtics' offensive firepower and their ability to dominate lesser opponents, an important trait as they push for a deep playoff run. For the Bulls, the loss raises more questions about their roster construction and direction, highlighting the need for a clear long-term vision.