Patrick Williams’ resurgence shifts Bulls rotation as Leonard Miller records second DNP in three games
CHICAGO—For the third straight game, Williams checked in before Miller. Following Miller’s meteoric preseason, it seemed a lock that the youngster would get a serious, prolonged look. A month into the season, Miller has had two DNPs (coach’s decision) since Williams appeared, debuting against the New York Knicks (Nov. 4).
With 6:04 to go in the first quarter on Friday, Williams was once again the first forward off the bench, checking in for Matas Buzelis. The veteran quickly made an impact: draining two threes, corralling three rebounds and dishing out two assists in six minutes.
The Bulls have been searching for a solution to the labyrinthine revolving door that’s been Chicago’s frontcourt. After forwards Buzelis, Nic Claxton, Jalen Smith and Caleb Wilson (out 4-6 weeks with a right-hand fracture). Where will the scoring and defensive production come from?
The remaining frontcourt options for Bulls’ head coach Tiago Splitter include: Williams, Miller, Zach Collins, Noa Essengue, Tobe Awaka (two-way) and newcomer Orlando Robinson.
For the first seven games, Miller was consistently the first forward off the bench. However, for the past four games, that script has flipped. Williams has been getting the first nod off the bench and hasn’t looked back. Notching a team-best +20 against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes. Additionally, Williams bucketed seven points, three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes on Sunday versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
To commence the season, Chicago was content monitoring their young forward attempting to flourish in front of them. Miller got some decent run, averaging 15.9 minutes in nine games played. Williams didn’t make his season debut until the eighth game, the shellacking by the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden (Bulls 105, Knicks 135).
In overtime fashion, the Chicago Bulls prevailed over the Atlanta Hawks Friday night (Bulls 125, Hawks 117). Williams played 24 minutes, netting 13 points (one of seven Bulls in double figures), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Miller was notably absent once again, although he was elated standing on the corner of the floor, applauding his teammates throughout the first win at the United Center for the 2026/27 NBA season.
Miller was poised to have a significant role on the young Bulls after a stellar preseason. In five exhibition games, Miller averaged 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, two assists and 1.4 turnovers in 19.8 minutes (including a 26-point performance against the Denver Nuggets). After shooting 35.6% (31-87) from three in 27 games with the Bulls last season, the 22-year-old shot 55.6% (10-18) in five games this preseason.
In the regular season, Miller has seen game action nine times, averaging 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.8 turnovers on 15.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old’s three-point shooting has plummeted precipitously since the preseason, averaging 18.5% (5-27) from behind the arc and 43.4% from the field.
The Bulls’ third-quarter woes continued Friday night. After capitulating in the third quarter on Wednesday against the Spurs, an all too similar trend continued Friday. At halftime, Chicago led Atlanta 60 to 53, with 10 turnovers in the half. After the third quarter, the Hawks cut the deficit to one (Bulls 84, Hawks 83) thanks to nine turnovers committed by the Bulls.
This time, Chicago held on for 48 minutes and more! Williams hit a pivotal three with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Bulls a three-point lead. Splitter opted to finish the fourth with Williams instead of Buzelis, who left with 6:34 to go and didn’t return until overtime. Splitter was asked about that decision postgame:
“You know, sometimes when the rotations happen, I think Pat (Patrick Williams) was in the game with two minutes left and I thought of putting Matas (Buzelis) back,” Splitter said. “But you just don’t want to take the rhythm out of Pat (Patrick Williams), I thought he was doing a good job. Then we started the starters in overtime with basically the starters. You know, Matas (Buzelis) hit a big three in the corner, so I think everybody helped us with the win today.”
Powell sealed the game, banking nine points in overtime, lifting the Bulls to their first vanquish at home this season. No Caleb Wilson, no problem. Seven Bulls went for double figures, including all five starters, quelling the eight-game losing streak.
Powell dazzled in the iso possessions down the stretch, amassing 33 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Josh Giddey tallied his first triple-double of the season: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, 3 blocks. Jalen Smith had a sterling night on both ends of the floor, scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Issac Okoro started for the second time this season, grounding the defense for 41 minutes. Okoro concluded with 15 points to his name, in addition to the superb defense. Buzelis netted 11, Williams racked up 13 and Hield logged 12. The Bulls can’t bask in victory for too long.
For a franchise languishing at 2-9, one overtime triumph cannot erase the calamity of an eight-game skid, nor can it settle the inexorable question of who belongs in this frontcourt. Williams has supplanted Miller, Hield has ceded ground to Hawkins, and Splitter, the tactician, continues to shuffle the deck in search of something tenuous but real. This is the dichotomy of a rebuild: the ephemeral thrill of a suspenseful Friday night victory and the long reckoning that still awaits. Friday was a positive indication that first-year head coach Splitter and Executive Vice President Bryson Graham have the bow pointed in the right direction.
