The Bulls 2021-22 season marked a definitive turning point for the franchise, snapping a multi-year playoff drought and electrifying the city with an entirely revamped roster. Led by front office changes and marquee offseason acquisitions, Chicago transformed overnight from a lottery team into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender during the first half of the campaign.
While injuries eventually derailed their momentum down the stretch, the year produced historic individual performances, unforgettable clutch shots, and a renewed culture of competitiveness. Let's break down the primary catalysts, defining milestones, and underlying statistics that defined this memorable chapter of Bulls basketball.
Offseason Reconstruction: Building a New Core
Heading into the summer of 2021, executive arturas Karnisovas aggressively reshaped the roster to complement star guard Zach LaVine. The front office executed a sign-and-trade for perennial All-Star DeMar DeRozan, acquired elite playmaker Lonzo Ball via sign-and-trade, and signed defensive anchor Alex Caruso out of free agency.
These moves immediately established a balanced starting lineup combining elite perimeter scoring, playmaking versatility, and tenacious perimeter defense. Rookie draft selection Ayo Dosunmu also emerged as an unexpected second-round steal, stepping into heavy rotation minutes early and stabilizing the backcourt during various injury absences. To explore the bigger picture, we recommend the recent report by The New York Times.
Historic Start and the Nine-Game Win Streak
The new-look roster gelled far quicker than most analysts predicted. By November and December, the team sat near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, fueled by high-efficiency isolation scoring from DeRozan and sharp-shooting from LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
The peak of this early dominance arrived in January during a scorching nine-game win streak. During this stretch, the squad displayed resilient fourth-quarter execution, defensive stops, and chemistry that hadn't been seen at the United Center in nearly a decade. Lonzo Ball orchestrated the offense with crisp transition passes, while Caruso wreaked havoc in passing lanes before suffering a foot fracture that served as the team's first major turning point.
DeMar DeRozan and the New Year's Magic
DeRozan put together an MVP-caliber campaign, averaging over 27 points per game while shooting career-high efficiency marks from the midrange. His most iconic moments came on back-to-back nights bridging the calendar year, cementing his legacy in franchise clutch lore.
- December 31, 2021: Against the Indiana Pacers, DeRozan sank a game-winning, one-handed buzzer-beater bank shot over two defenders as time expired.
- January 1, 2022: Just 24 hours later against the Washington Wizards, he repeated the feat, nailing another running, contested three-point buzzer-beater to win the game.
According to NBA tracking data, this marked the first time in league history that a player hit game-winning buzzer-beaters on consecutive calendar days. These sequences encapsulated the grit and poise that carried the group through tight games.
The Injury Toll and Second-Half Regression
Despite holding the number one seed in the East at multiple points in January, the physical toll of a condensed schedule caught up with the roster. Lonzo Ball underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in late January, initially expected to miss six to eight weeks, but a prolonged recovery sidelined him for the remainder of the season and subsequent years.
Simultaneously, Zach LaVine battled lingering knee discomfort, and Patrick Williams missed nearly the entire regular season following wrist surgery. Without their primary perimeter defender in Ball and a fully healthy LaVine, the defense plummeted from top-tier status to the bottom half of the league. The team limped into the finish line, securing a sixth seed with a final record of 46-36.
Postseason Return and Playoff Reality Check
Qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2017 brought immense excitement to Chicago, but the playoff matchup against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks exposed structural roster limitations.
The Bucks' length and physical defensive scheme neutralized the team's primary offensive options. While Nikola Vucevic fought hard inside and Zach LaVine posted strong scoring numbers in his playoff debut, Milwaukee's experience proved insurmountable. The Bucks eliminated the Bulls in five games, bringing a sobering conclusion to an otherwise inspiring campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final record of the Bulls in the 2021-22 season?
The team finished the regular season with a 46-36 record, securing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and earning their first playoff berth in five years.
Who led the team in scoring?
DeMar DeRozan led the squad with 27.9 points per game, supported closely by Zach LaVine, who averaged 24.4 points per game.
Why did the team struggle in the second half of the season?
Severe injuries to key starters—most notably Lonzo Ball's season-ending knee injury and Patrick Williams' wrist injury—severely depleted perimeter defense and playmaking depth.
Did DeMar DeRozan make the All-NBA team?
Yes, following his historic offensive output and clutch performances, DeRozan was selected to the All-NBA Second Team.
