Bulls Repeat Costly Errors in Lopsided Loss to Pelicans

The Chicago Bulls entered their interconference matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans searching for urgency, direction, and a response to weeks of pointed warnings from head coach Billy Donovan. Instead, the opening minutes made clear that many of the issues fueling their uneven start had surfaced once again. From rebounding breakdowns to slow defensive rotations, the Bulls fell into the same patterns Donovan has repeatedly highlighted.

The Pelicans punished Chicago early and often, finding gaps with minimal resistance and dictating the night’s tone with sheer activity. New Orleans didn’t need an extraordinary game plan; it simply capitalized on Chicago’s miscues and lack of physical commitment. Loose balls went their way, the paint was accessible, and the Bulls struggled to generate consistent stops.

As the game unfolded, the familiar nature of the mistakes became the most troubling part of the performance. Chicago’s effort fluctuated. The communication Donovan has demanded was rarely sustained. And the Pelicans’ advantage on the glass underscored the structural habits the Bulls have yet to correct. The loss carried a weight beyond the scoreline because of how predictable it felt.

In the aftermath, Ayo Dosunmu—Chicago’s lone player with a positive plus-minus—echoed Donovan’s concerns with blunt honesty. His postgame comments reflected a locker room aware of the message, yet unable to apply it consistently. The Bulls’ defeat was not just another setback; it was a reminder of what remains unchanged.

1. Problems Repeating on Both Ends

The Pelicans’ dominance began with their control of the boards. They attacked every miss, while the Bulls struggled to finish possessions with box-outs or physical contests. This imbalance gave New Orleans second chances and allowed the Pelicans to dictate tempo. The effort gaps Donovan has cited throughout the season played out visibly in real time. Defensively, the Bulls’ rotations lagged behind the Pelicans’ movement. New Orleans repeatedly found open looks or driving lanes as Chicago’s communication broke down. Whether through misreads or lapses, the Bulls ceded rhythm to a Pelicans team that didn’t need to overextend itself to create quality opportunities. On offense, Chicago showed flashes but could never match New Orleans’ consistency. Empty possessions followed missed assignments, and the Bulls’ inability to string together stops meant scoring runs rarely impacted the overall rhythm of the game. The Pelicans’ comfort level only increased as the night progressed. The accumulation of these familiar issues created a performance that mirrored many of Chicago’s early-season losses: physically outmatched, defensively unable to sustain pressure, and offensively reliant on individual moments rather than collective execution.

2. Dosunmu’s Candid Reflection

Ayo Dosunmu’s remarks after the loss provided a raw assessment of the team’s struggles. His comments framed what Donovan has been emphasizing behind closed doors—habits matter, and Chicago’s remain inconsistent. Dosunmu referenced repeated reminders about boxing out, engaging the ball, and committing to a physical identity, all of which the Bulls implemented only in short bursts. He described the familiar film sessions where these shortcomings are highlighted, only to manifest again during games. Dosunmu’s frustration reflected an understanding that the team knows the formula but struggles to execute over 48 minutes. His words painted a portrait of a roster hearing the message but not internalizing it. Then came the line that resonated most: “We keep saying the stove is hot, and we keep touching the stove.” The metaphor captured the ongoing disconnect between Donovan’s guidance and the team’s habits. It framed the Bulls’ issues as not just tactical, but behavioral. For a young guard to voice that sentiment so openly indicates an awareness inside the locker room of what needs to change—but also highlights how deeply rooted these patterns have become.

3. A Team Running Out of Time for Change

The Bulls left New Orleans with more than another loss—they left with a sense that the window to fix these recurring problems is growing smaller. Donovan has remained steady in his messaging, but the urgency is rising, especially for a team expected to take a competitive step forward this season. Chicago’s struggles are not due to a lack of talent, but the inability to maintain discipline in areas the staff has emphasized repeatedly. The absence of physical rebounding, inconsistent defensive connectivity, and lapses in focus continue to overshadow stretches where the Bulls do show potential. Across the fan base, one question is becoming unavoidable: when will the habits Donovan preaches translate into consistent action? As the schedule toughens and standings tighten, Chicago cannot afford many more nights where the same flaws dominate the storyline. The loss to the Pelicans, while only one game, felt symbolic—an example of a team still searching for accountability, identity, and the resolve to stop “touching the stove.”