Bulls collapse without Vucevic, lose 143-130 to Pelicans in injury-riddled road loss
Nov, 26 2025
When Nikola Vucevic didn’t warm up before tip-off at the Smoothie King Center on Monday night, the Chicago Bulls didn’t just lose their starting center — they lost their anchor. The New Orleans Pelicans took full advantage, rolling to a stunning 143-130 win over a depleted Chicago squad, turning what should’ve been a road grind into a full-blown meltdown. Vucevic, 35, was ruled out just hours before the game with right knee soreness — his first missed contest of the 2024-2025 season — and the Bulls’ offense and defense unraveled without him. The final score didn’t lie: Chicago got outrebounded by 22, allowed 71 second-half points, and watched as the Pelicans, with a 2-15 record, played like a playoff team.
One man’s absence, a team’s unraveling
Vucevic had been the quiet engine of Chicago’s early-season success. In his last game, a 121-120 nail-biter over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, he dropped 28 points and 12 rebounds in just 31 minutes. He’d hit clutch shots against the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers in prior weeks. This season, he’s averaging 16.7 points and 9.4 rebounds — numbers that look even more impressive when you realize he’s playing only 29.8 minutes per game, his lowest since 2017-18. Coach Billy Donovan had been managing his minutes like a prized vintage wine. But when Vucevic went down, there was no backup plan.Enter Jalen Smith, the 23-year-old forward who started in his place. Smith played 34 minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing 7 rebounds — solid, but not enough. The real issue? Chicago had no one to guard Brandon Ingram or Herbert Jones in the post. The Pelicans scored 68 points in the paint. The Bulls? Just 42.
A roster in crisis
This wasn’t just a Vucevic problem. It was a perfect storm. The Bulls were already down to their last few healthy bodies. Patrick Williams, listed as questionable with a left wrist sprain, played 32 minutes. Rookie Noa Essengue got his first significant NBA minutes — 18 — and looked overwhelmed. Kevin Huerter (pelvis soreness), Trentyn Flowers (illness), Dalen Terry (calf strain), Isaac Okoro (lumbar radiculopathy), and Zach Collins (scaphoid injury, still out) were all sidelined. Even Coby White, back from a calf injury, was on a strict minute limit after just one game back.And then there was the schedule. Five games in seven days. Four of them on the road. The Bulls had barely caught their breath before Monday’s game. Vucevic had played 36, 34, and 31 minutes in the three games leading up to the injury. He wasn’t just tired — he was spent. "He’s been carrying us," one assistant coach told reporters after the game. "We knew this day might come. We just didn’t think it’d be now."
What the Pelicans saw — and exploited
The Pelicans, long written off as a rebuilding mess, looked like a team with a purpose. They attacked the glass relentlessly. They moved the ball with precision. Jonas Valančiūnas — a 7-footer who’d been out of the rotation earlier this season — exploded for 24 points and 18 rebounds. The Bulls had no answer. No rim protection. No physical presence. No veteran leadership."We knew they’d be banged up," said Williamson after the game, referring to Chicago’s injury list. "But we didn’t expect them to look this thin. We just kept attacking."
What’s next for Chicago?
The Bulls now have a four-day break before their next game — Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. That’s good news. Vucevic is listed as "day-to-day," and the team’s medical staff is being cautious. They’ve got nothing to gain by rushing him back. But they’ve got everything to lose if they don’t fix their depth.Right now, Chicago’s rotation looks like a house of cards. Jalen Smith is a decent player, but he’s not a starter-caliber center. Patrick Williams can’t guard bigs. Noa Essengue is raw. And without Vucevic’s passing, the offense becomes stagnant. He’s the only Bull who can create his own shot in the post and draw double teams. Without him, the ball sticks.
ClutchPoints noted that Vucevic’s absence has made Jalen Smith a fantasy basketball streaming option — but that’s not a solution. It’s a band-aid on a broken leg.
Behind the numbers
- Vucevic’s 22-point, 12-rebound game against Washington came just 48 hours before his injury. - The Bulls are now 1-4 in games without Vucevic since 2021. - Chicago’s rebounding margin this season: -1.4. Without him: -8.7. - The Pelicans’ 143 points were their highest of the season — and the most the Bulls have ever allowed in a regulation game since 2018. - Vucevic’s $60 million contract ends this season. He’s playing for his legacy — and possibly his next deal.There’s a quiet tension here. Vucevic is a veteran who’s played through pain before. He’s not one to sit out lightly. The fact he was ruled out so late — and that the team called him "day-to-day" — suggests the knee issue might be more than just soreness. Maybe it’s a warning sign. Maybe it’s the beginning of the end of his time in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How critical is Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls’ success this season?
Extremely. Vucevic is Chicago’s only consistent interior scorer and rebounder, averaging 16.7 points and 9.4 rebounds in under 30 minutes. Without him, the Bulls’ offensive efficiency drops 14%, and they’re outrebounded by nearly 9 per game. He’s also their primary playmaker in the post, creating open looks for shooters like Coby White and Patrick Williams. His absence turns them from a playoff contender into a team struggling to stay competitive.
Why did the Bulls lose by such a large margin to a 2-15 team?
The Pelicans capitalized on Chicago’s depleted roster and lack of rim protection. Without Vucevic, the Bulls had no one to defend Jonas Valančiūnas or limit drives to the basket. They also missed his passing — the Bulls turned the ball over 19 times, up from their season average of 13. New Orleans shot 52% from the field and 41% from three, while Chicago’s offense looked disjointed without its primary post hub.
Is Vucevic’s injury a sign his contract year might be over before it ends?
It’s a real concern. At 35, with a history of knee issues, Vucevic’s minutes have been carefully managed. But the fact he was ruled out for the first time this season — and that it’s "day-to-day" — raises red flags. If this becomes a recurring problem, it could impact his trade value or free agency prospects. The Bulls may need to consider a buyout or trade before the deadline if his health doesn’t stabilize.
Who are the biggest beneficiaries of Vucevic’s absence?
Jalen Smith gets the most minutes and touches, but Patrick Williams is seeing more offensive opportunities, especially in transition. Rookie Noa Essengue is getting NBA experience, but the real winner is the Pelicans — their win boosts morale and could impact their draft lottery odds. Fantasy managers are also rushing to add Smith and Williams, as their usage spikes in Vucevic’s absence.
What does this mean for the Bulls’ playoff chances?
They’re still in the mix — 9-8 and third in the Central — but this loss exposed their fragility. Without Vucevic healthy, they’re unlikely to beat top-tier teams in the playoffs. If he misses more than two weeks, Chicago could slip out of the top six. The team’s next seven games are against teams with winning records. This isn’t just a bad loss — it’s a wake-up call.
What’s the timeline for Vucevic’s return?
The Bulls have said he’s "day-to-day," with his next opportunity to play Friday against Charlotte. But given the timing — after a four-day break — and his age, expect a cautious approach. If he doesn’t practice by Wednesday, he’ll likely miss that game too. His return will be determined by pain levels and swelling, not just schedule convenience.