The Chicago Bulls’ NBA Cup journey is teetering on the edge, and once again, the odds are stacked against them. As the tournament group stage approaches its conclusion this week, official NBA updates on clinching and elimination scenarios reveal a grim picture for Billy Donovan’s squad. After a devastating blowout loss to the Miami Heat last Friday, the Bulls fell to 1-2 in Group C, dragging their point differential down to -42—the second-worst in the Eastern Conference.
With the knockout round now looming, three potential scenarios could officially end Chicago’s hopes. The first, and perhaps most shocking, would occur if the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Considering Washington’s 1-15 start this season, few expected them to hold the Bulls’ fate in their hands—but in the NBA, surprises happen. The other two elimination possibilities hinge on combined results: Orlando and Detroit both winning their matchups, or New York and Miami pulling off victories. The Magic face the 76ers on Tuesday, while the Pistons square off against the Celtics. Meanwhile, the Knicks travel to Charlotte, and the Heat host a banged-up Bucks squad.
If any of these scenarios play out, the Bulls’ final NBA Cup game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday will carry little significance. Such an outcome would mark the third consecutive season Chicago has failed to advance past the group stage of the in-season tournament. Introduced in 2023-24, the NBA Cup has already crowned the Lakers and Bucks as champions, but for the Bulls, it continues to be a thorny battleground.
Optimism briefly flared after Chicago’s opening win over the New York Knicks by double digits, but subsequent blowout losses to the Bucks and Heat derailed momentum both in the tournament and the broader season. The Bulls’ struggles have raised questions about their readiness for higher-stakes games, highlighting systemic issues on both ends of the court.
Recent performances have done little to inspire confidence. Over the last ten games, Chicago has gone 3-7, posting the NBA’s sixth-worst net rating during that stretch. Their latest defeat came at the hands of a Pelicans team that entered the matchup 2-15, averaging the fewest points per game in the league. Ironically, the Bulls scored a season-high 143 points in regulation during that game, shooting over 50 percent—but even such offensive bursts have failed to translate into consistent victories.
The Bulls’ inconsistencies underscore the difficulties Donovan faces in keeping this team competitive. Talent alone is not enough; execution, defensive discipline, and cohesion have been glaring weaknesses. With the NBA Cup spotlight exposing these flaws, Chicago’s struggles are magnified, and fans are left wondering whether the in-season tournament will ever be a true highlight for this franchise.
As the week progresses, all eyes will be on Group C matchups. Each win or loss not only affects standings but also shapes the narrative of the Bulls’ season—a story increasingly dominated by near-misses and unfulfilled potential. For now, it appears safe to say that Chicago has once again failed to earn an invitation to the NBA Cup’s knockout stage, continuing a troubling trend from the tournament’s first two seasons.
For fans seeking a deeper dive, the NBA has published a full breakdown of scenarios heading into this week’s games. While there is always hope in sports, the Bulls’ path forward in the NBA Cup is perilously narrow—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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