Bulls 119, Wizards 108: Chicago Takes Control in Third

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Washington Wizards 119-108 on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Capital One Arena, with Tre Jones leading all scorers with 31 points and Leonard Miller adding 26 points and 11 rebounds in an efficient road win for Chicago.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Chicago started sharply and opened a 32-24 lead after one quarter. The Bulls shot well early, moved into their offense quickly, and created separation by getting to the foul line and finishing possessions. Washington had some success on the glass, but the Wizards were already playing from behind.

Second Quarter

The Wizards responded in the second, outscoring the Bulls 27-20 to trim the deficit to 52-51 at halftime. Washington tightened up defensively for stretches and found more balance offensively, with Will Riley helping steady the attack as the home side briefly shifted momentum.

Third Quarter

The game turned decisively in the third quarter. Chicago outscored Washington 35-23 in the period, reclaiming control with cleaner execution and stronger scoring efficiency. The Bulls pushed their lead back to double digits by the end of the quarter, taking an 87-74 advantage into the final 12 minutes.

Fourth Quarter

Washington continued to compete and put up 34 points in the fourth, but Chicago matched enough of that production with 32 points of its own to hold off any serious comeback. The Bulls stayed composed at the free-throw line and finished the night with a 24-of-25 mark there, which helped secure the 11-point result.

Key Performers

Tre Jones, Bulls: 31 points to lead all scorers and set the tone for Chicago’s backcourt production.

Leonard Miller, Bulls: 26 points and 11 rebounds for a strong double-double that gave Chicago steady interior support.

Patrick Williams, Bulls: Led the team with 4 assists as Chicago finished with 26 total assists.

Will Riley, Wizards: 23 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in an all-around performance despite the loss.

Julian Reese, Wizards: 15 rebounds to anchor Washington on the glass.

NerdSports Stat: Chicago won by 11 despite making only nine 3-pointers, because the Bulls posted a +8 edge at the free-throw line and a +5 edge in made field goals while nearly matching Washington rebound for rebound, 51-52.

Game Analysis

The clearest difference in this game was efficiency. Chicago shot 46.2% from the field compared with Washington’s 39.6%, and that gap became especially important during the third quarter, when the Bulls created the separation that defined the night. Even though the Wizards grabbed one more rebound and attempted more shots, they could not make up for a difficult shooting night, particularly from long range, where they went 10-for-38.

Chicago also handled the details that often decide road games. The Bulls made 24 of 25 free throws, a 96.0% mark, and finished with 26 assists on 43 made baskets. That combination of shot creation and foul-line execution gave them enough consistency to answer every Washington push.

For the Wizards, Riley’s versatility stood out. His 23-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist line, along with three steals and three blocks, reflected just how much he impacted the game on both ends. But Washington needed more team-wide shooting support to fully capitalize on that performance.

Closing Context

With the win, Chicago improved to 30-49 and continued building toward the end of its season with a productive road result. Washington fell to 17-62, and while the Wizards showed some resilience in the second and fourth quarters, the third-quarter swing proved too much to overcome. The Bulls took control at the right time and came away with a valuable late-season victory.

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