Bulls Stay Perfect, Move to 5–0 Behind Josh Giddey’s Career Night

For the first time in nearly three decades, the Chicago Bulls are the last unbeaten team standing in the Eastern Conference. Their 135–125 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night lifted them to a 5–0 record — their best start since the 1996–97 season, when Michael Jordan led the franchise through its championship era.

It marks just the third time in team history that Chicago has opened a season with such momentum, a testament to both its depth and renewed energy under coach Billy Donovan. The Bulls built a commanding early lead and never looked back, relying on their offensive fluidity and collective effort to secure the win.

Still, the postgame tone inside the locker room was measured. Players acknowledged the milestone but emphasized that the team’s early success was only a foundation. “We feel good as a group of where we’re at right now, but there’s a long way to go,” said guard Josh Giddey. “Every night there’s different guys making plays and stepping up. That kind of speaks volumes to how deep we are.”

Chicago’s early-season surge has been fueled by balance and chemistry. Six players are averaging double figures, a sign of the team’s improved ball movement and willingness to share the scoring load — qualities that have defined their undefeated run.

1. Giddey Leads the Charge

Josh Giddey delivered his best game as a Bull on Friday, finishing with a career-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists — just one short of a triple-double. The 21-year-old Australian guard was dominant early, scoring 21 points in the first half and matching his career high for threes in a half with four. His energy and creativity helped Chicago establish a 19-point halftime cushion that the Knicks could never erase. Through five games, Giddey has been one of the league’s most efficient all-around performers, averaging 22 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc. His growing confidence has been noticeable — both in his shooting stroke and in his control of the offense. “It’s a place where I’m wanted,” Giddey said. “I love having confidence from my teammates and the coaches to trust me to go out there and make plays. When you have the belief from everybody around you, it propels you in the right direction.” That sense of trust has been evident on the court. Chicago’s offense moved with pace and precision Friday, dishing out 31 assists on 45 made field goals. The Bulls have embraced an identity rooted in unselfishness and chemistry — and Giddey has become the engine driving it.

2. A Team Built on Depth and Connection

The Bulls’ early-season dominance has not come from star power alone. Chicago’s depth has been a consistent strength, with multiple players stepping into key roles each night. The team’s ability to adapt — from transition offense to perimeter shooting — has made them unpredictable and difficult to defend. “We all love each other. We all love playing with each other,” Giddey said. “When you enjoy the people you get to work with every day, it makes it a lot more fun and enjoyable.” That camaraderie has translated directly into results. The Bulls have already notched wins over four likely playoff teams in the East — the Knicks, Magic, Hawks, and Pistons — and have consistently shown resilience in tight situations. Head coach Billy Donovan, who earned his 200th career win with the team on Friday, praised the group’s belief and maturity. “There’s good connection. They’ve got good relationships. They all can talk to each other,” Donovan said. “There’s a lot of positive things that they have that really go into winning.” Despite the strong start, Donovan stressed the importance of staying grounded. “It’s very early. It’s five games. I’m happy with the start we’ve got, but we can’t lose sight of how much more we have to do.”

3. Looking Ahead to Tougher Tests

The Bulls’ schedule offers little time to celebrate. They’ll face the Knicks again Sunday at Madison Square Garden before returning home Tuesday to meet the Philadelphia 76ers — another top Eastern Conference contender. The upcoming stretch will serve as a valuable test for Chicago’s poise and sustainability. So far, the Bulls have handled every challenge with composure, powered by Giddey’s breakout form and a roster that plays with purpose on both ends of the floor. Maintaining that consistency will determine whether this early-season success can evolve into a legitimate playoff run. With the franchise’s best start since the Jordan era, the energy surrounding Chicago basketball has returned — and the Bulls’ mix of talent, chemistry, and belief is starting to look like more than a hot streak. *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir=“auto” tabindex="-1" data-turn-id=“request-690591a4-205c-8320-a1a2-4eb74a1fcaf3-2” data-testid=“conversation-turn-22” data-scroll-anchor=“true” data-turn=“assistant”>

Behind Josh Giddey’s career night and a deep, unselfish roster, the Bulls extended their perfect start to 5–0, marking their best opening stretch since 1996–97 and signaling the rise of a confident, connected Chicago team.