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Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics, Tonight 7:30 PM ET: preview

Tonight · 7:30 PM ETTD Garden
ChicagoBulls
1-2 · 11th East
14%to win
@
BostonCeltics
1-1 · 8th East
86%to win
Win chance from sportsbook odds
Spread BOS -13.5 ptsTotal 233.5 ptsML CHI +575 · BOS -850DraftKings ·
Injuries CHI Out Claxton · Questionable Essengue, Williams BOS Out Carter

CHI likely five, Oct 24 box score: Powell, Smith, Buzelis, Giddey, Wilson

BOS likely five, Oct 23 box score: White, Tatum, George, Robinson, Walsh

Updated · news · source status

The story

Reported Tatum carries Celtics as the Jaylen Brown saga keeps simmering

ESPN reports Jayson Tatum spent most of a postgame press conference fielding questions about his relationship with Jaylen Brown after Brown's summer trade to Philadelphia. Brown then denied any beef, saying Tatum should "stay ready at all times." CBS Sports noted Brown commenting on a clip from Tatum's documentary. On the court, ESPN says Tatum scored 36 to beat the Knicks.

Sources: ESPN: “Jayson Tatum insists 'there's no beef' with Jaylen Brown in wake of tr…” · ESPN: “76ers' Jaylen Brown claims no beef but says Jayson Tatum has 'hell of …” · CBS Sports: “Jaylen Brown calls 'cap' on Jayson Tatum's recollection of stunning Ce…” · ESPN: “Jayson Tatum scores 36, sizzles down the stretch as Celtics fend off K…” · RotoWire note: Jayson Tatum

Also in the picture (2)

Written by our system from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words; updated . Rumors and opinions are labelled.

Schedule & travel · referees
CHIBOS
Days of rest12
Back-to-backNoNo
Games in last 7 days32
Travel to this game (est.)850 mi0 mi
Travel last 7 days (est.)1,362 mi611 mi
Time zones crossed10
Road trip game #1—

Travel is the straight-line distance between arenas from the schedule, an estimate; in the first week they include preseason games. These numbers describe the schedule; they are not a prediction of how a team will play.

Referee crew is announced the morning of the game.

CHI

This season, per game

BOS
better: 114.7 pts #14
Points
110.0 pts #22
128.0 pts #28
Points allowed
better: 112.0 pts #12
103.1 per 100 #26
Offensive rating
better: 111.8 per 100 #10
115.1 per 100 #22
Defensive rating
better: 113.8 per 100 #20
-12.0 per 100 #27
Net rating
better: -2.0 per 100 #16
111.2 poss #1
Pace
98.4 poss #30
All team stats (9)
1-2
Record
1-1
1-1
Road / Home
1-0
Last 5

Per game, regular season; #n is the league rank; ▲ marks the better side.

Players

this season's averages · tap a player for his page

CHI CHI

PlayerMinPtsRebAst
Caleb Wilson34.3 min22.3 pts8.0 reb1.3 ast
Norman Powell29.3 min19.3 pts3.7 reb1.7 ast
Josh Giddey26.3 min5.7 pts6.3 reb8.3 ast
Matas Buzelis25.7 min15.0 pts5.3 reb1.7 ast
Leonard Miller23.7 min10.0 pts4.3 reb1.0 ast
Jalen Smith22.3 min14.3 pts8.0 reb1.0 ast
Isaac Okoro20.0 min5.3 pts1.3 reb0.7 ast
Tre Jones18.3 min11.3 pts2.7 reb3.7 ast
Buddy Hield15.0 min7.3 pts2.0 reb2.0 ast
Tobe Awaka14.0 min2.0 pts7.0 reb2.0 ast

BOS BOS

PlayerMinPtsRebAst
Jayson Tatum37.5 min24.5 pts6.5 reb9.0 ast
Derrick White34.5 min14.5 pts2.5 reb7.0 ast
Paul George32.5 min26.5 pts6.0 reb2.5 ast
Payton Pritchard29.0 min10.5 pts2.5 reb2.5 ast
Neemias Queta22.0 min9.0 pts5.0 reb1.5 ast
Sam Hauser20.5 min8.5 pts3.0 reb1.5 ast
Mitchell Robinson20.0 min4.0 pts3.5 reb1.5 ast
Jordan Walsh16.5 min2.5 pts4.5 reb0.5 ast
Baylor Scheierman14.5 min5.0 pts1.5 reb0.0 ast
Hugo Gonzalez7.0 min0.0 pts1.5 reb0.5 ast

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Latest news

newest first · official report, X, Bluesky, RotoWire, ESPN
  • XCHICaleb WilsonOut

    Caleb Wilson and his teammates are starting to figure a few things out, but the schedule is about to turn brutal and test it all. Read it ...

    @JCowleyHoops · View on X
  • RotoWireCHICaleb WilsonAbout an earlier game

    Caleb Wilson: Massive double-double in loss — Wilson tallied 30 points (10-24 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 9-11 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block across 38 minutes in Saturday's 124-120 loss to the Wizards.

    RotoWire · Original ↗
  • XCHIAbout an earlier game

    Zach Collins entering after not playing in Milwaukee. Tiago Splitter said Collins didn't play because he's still on minutes restriction and they didn't want to use him in front end of B2B when Leonard Miller was better matchup vs. Bucks.

    @KCJHoop · View on X
  • XCHINoa Essengue

    Bulls coach Tiago Splitter talks Noa Essengue, tough love, and the role he's carving out as a match-up based rotation piece ... a PWill injury update and much more ... Read it ...

    @JCowleyHoops · View on Xalso reported by @UnderdogNBA
  • ESPNCHIPatrick WilliamsAbout an earlier game

    Williams (groin) is out for Saturday's game versus the Wizards, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

    Right, Groin, Soreness (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗also reported by @UnderdogNBA
  • ESPNCHINoa EssengueAbout an earlier game

    Essengue (head) won't suit up for Saturday's game against the Wizards, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

    Head, Bruise (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗also reported by @JCowleyHoops
  • XCHI

    Noa Essengue is out vs. Wizards, per Tiago Splitter. Essengue is having issues with light sensitivity after taking that blow to head in Bucks game. Not in concussion protocol. Patrick Williams is out

    @KCJHoop · View on X
  • XCHI

    Noa Essengue is questionable vs. Wizards with right hand contusion. Patrick Williams (right groin soreness) has same designation.

    @KCJHoop · View on X
Show 14 older items
  • RotoWireBOSJayson Tatum

    Jayson Tatum: Stuffs stat sheet in win — Tatum tallied 36 points (14-26 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 37 minutes in Friday's 107-103 win over the Knicks.

    RotoWire · Original ↗
  • RotoWireCHIJosh GiddeyAbout an earlier game

    Josh Giddey: Struggles continue Friday — Giddey posted six points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds and nine assists over 25 minutes during Friday's 132-125 victory over Milwaukee.

    RotoWire · Original ↗
  • BlueskyBOS

    I'm going to keep bringing this up for a bit: Neemias Queta should start with Mitchell Robinson coming off the bench. Queta earned that starting spot last year. Robinson has been awesome off the bench. Feels like both guys would be better in those roles.

    @keithsmithnba.bsky.social · View on Bluesky
  • RotoWireCHICaleb WilsonAbout an earlier game

    Caleb Wilson: Nets 21 points with full line in win — Wilson produced 21 points (7-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks and three turnovers across 33 minutes in Friday's 132-125 win over the Bucks.

    RotoWire · Original ↗
  • XCHITre Jones

    Tre Jones checks out with 7 assists and 0 TOs and plus-15 in 20 minutes.

    @KCJHoop · View on X
  • BlueskyCHILeonard Miller

    Leonard Miller is good. Really interesting guy for the Bulls when it comes to a possible extension. I'd try to get something done vs letting him hit unrestricted free agency.

    @keithsmithnba.bsky.social · View on Bluesky
  • XCHIPatrick Williams

    Patrick Williams, despite being out of rotation, has been one of the most vocally supportive teammates on bench today

    @KCJHoop · View on X
  • BlueskyCHIMatas Buzelis

    Think it's notable that Matas Buzelis is getting a short leash once again to start this season. Pulled after roughly four minutes on the court, didn't get put back in during the first quarter. Bad foul and turnover in that span, plus some very questionable ball-handling in the paint.

    @juliapoe.bsky.social · View on Bluesky
  • XCHI

    Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins are available for Bulls but haven’t seen actives/inactives yet and Hawkins could be latter.

    @KCJHoop · View on X
  • RotoWireCHIJosh GiddeyAbout an earlier game

    Josh Giddey: Cleared to play Friday — Giddey (wrist) is available for Friday's game against the Bucks.

    RotoWire · Original ↗also reported by @UnderdogNBA
  • XCHIDailyn SwainAvailable

    Dailyn Swain (illness) listed available to play Friday.

    @UnderdogNBA · View on X
  • XCHIZach CollinsAvailable

    Zach Collins (quad) listed available to play Friday.

    @UnderdogNBA · View on X
  • XCHITobe AwakaAvailable

    Tobe Awaka (knee) listed available to play Friday.

    @UnderdogNBA · View on X
  • ESPNCHIJordan HawkinsAbout an earlier game

    Hawkins (illness) is probable for Friday's game against the Hawks.

    Illness (return est. 2026-10-23)ESPN · Original ↗