Bulls rout Wizards 129-98 behind Rob Dillingham

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Washington Wizards 129-98 on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Capital One Arena, with Rob Dillingham leading all scorers with 26 points in a wire-to-wire road win. Chicago took control early, built a 29-point halftime lead, and never let Washington seriously threaten the outcome.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Chicago set the tone immediately, outscoring Washington 38-18 in the opening period. The Bulls moved the ball cleanly, found quality looks early in the clock, and punished defensive breakdowns. Washington struggled to match that pace and spent most of the quarter trying to recover from the initial surge.

Second Quarter

The Bulls extended their advantage in the second, winning the quarter 28-19 and taking a 66-37 lead into halftime. Chicago continued to control the glass and generate efficient offense, while Washington had trouble stringing together stops. By the break, the Wizards were facing a steep deficit created by Chicago’s balanced scoring and steady execution.

Third Quarter

Any hope of a Wizards push was limited in the third quarter, as the Bulls again had the edge, 34-26. Chicago kept its offensive rhythm, mixing perimeter shooting with paint touches and transition chances. The lead grew to 100-63 entering the fourth, putting the result effectively out of reach.

Fourth Quarter

Washington showed better energy in the final period and outscored Chicago 35-29, but the late surge only narrowed the final margin. The Wizards found more success getting into the lane and finishing possessions, while the Bulls focused on managing the game and closing out a comfortable road victory.

Key Performers

Rob Dillingham, Bulls: Dillingham led all scorers with 26 points and gave Chicago consistent offensive creation throughout the night.

Patrick Williams, Bulls: Williams delivered one of the most complete stat lines in the game with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Tre Jones, Bulls: Jones guided the offense with 9 assists as Chicago finished with 35 assists as a team.

Collin Sexton, Bulls: Sexton contributed on the glass with a team-high 9 rebounds, a notable number from the guard spot.

Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards: Coulibaly led Washington with 19 points and continued to provide scoring on a difficult night for the home team.

Julian Reese, Wizards: Reese posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals, giving Washington one of its few strong all-around efforts.

Bub Carrington, Wizards: Carrington paced the Wizards with 7 assists and tried to keep the offense organized despite the early deficit.

NerdSports Stat: Chicago led 66-37 at halftime and still finished with 35 assists, meaning the Bulls averaged more than one assist for every two made field goals even after spending the second half protecting a large lead.

Game Analysis

This game was shaped by Chicago’s first-half control. The Bulls shot 48.9 percent from the field, made 15 three-pointers, and finished with a 52-46 rebounding edge. Just as important, they consistently created quality offense for one another, reflected in their 35 assists on 46 made baskets.

Washington never recovered from the opening quarter. The Wizards shot 43.0 percent overall and 28.9 percent from three, numbers that made it difficult to cut into the deficit. Free throws also mattered: Chicago went 22-for-27 at the line, while Washington finished 13-for-21.

The overall possession battle favored the Bulls as well. More rebounds, better free-throw efficiency, and cleaner offensive flow allowed Chicago to stay comfortably ahead. Even though Washington had a more productive fourth quarter, the game had already been decided by the work Chicago did in the first 24 minutes.

Closing Context

With the win, the Bulls improved to 30-49 and added another road result as the regular season winds down in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards fell to 17-62, and this game reflected the challenge of playing from behind after a difficult opening half. For Chicago, the takeaway is simple: a strong start and balanced production can still travel late in the season.

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