Bulls Head Coach Changes Rotation After Seven-Game Losing Streak
Chicago Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter altered his bench rotation following a 127-121 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, choosing to sit reserve guards Buddy Hield and Leonard Miller for the entirety of the contest, as Heavy reported. The decision left the Bulls at 1-8 overall with seven consecutive losses, prompting the coaching staff to look for immediate spark plugs from the end of the bench.
Neither Hield nor Miller stepped on the floor during Sunday’s game. Splitter explained after the final buzzer that the coaching staff had evaluated the previous combination for roughly eight or nine games before deciding that a different look was necessary. The move opened up regular minutes for forward Patrick Williams and guard Jordan Hawkins.
Williams and Hawkins Stepped Into Extended Roles
Williams played nearly 25 minutes against Philadelphia, contributing seven points, three assists, and a steal. The appearance marked a notable shift for Williams, who had not played in any of Chicago’s first seven games of the season. Hawkins logged approximately 17 minutes and scored nine points, building on an earlier performance where he made all three of his shots for six points as the Bulls cut a 12-point deficit.
The rotation shift stands out because Hield and Miller were instrumental in securing the Bulls’ sole victory of the young season. During a 132-125 comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Miller scored 19 points and Hield added 13, helping the bench erase a 15-point deficit. Following that win, Splitter had preached patience, noting that coaches cannot alter the rotation or starting lineup after every individual good or bad performance. The Sunday benching, however, signaled a change in that approach as the team’s struggles mounted.
Roster Shuffling Amid Injuries and Late Additions
The rotation adjustments coincided with other moving parts in the Chicago lineup. Norman Powell was a late scratch for the game, forcing Isaac Okoro into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Nic Claxton made his season debut off the bench after missing the team’s first eight games due to injury recovery. Guard Josh Giddey led the offensive effort with 19 points and 15 assists, though the Bulls ultimately fell short by six points after leading earlier in the match.
By addressing the second unit bluntly, Splitter has opened a window for players like Williams and Hawkins to establish a permanent role in the rotation. Whether the new combination will stick remains the primary question for a Chicago squad searching for stability as the regular season progresses.