Chicago has been in the NBA Play-In Tournament after each of the past two seasons. Both campaigns ended in losses to the Miami Heat for a chance at the last remaining playoff spot. This year, with ten games until the regular season wraps up, the Bulls again find themselves a surefire bet to compete in the mini-tournament for a chance to reach postseason play. Several new faces, including Josh Giddey and his near triple-double nightly, have transformed the franchise's identity and outlook. Here's why their third crack at winning the NBA Play-In Tournament will end with a playoff spot.
Josh Giddey's Incredible Emergence
Giddey is a unique representation of much of the Chicago Bulls roster. Many have found a new home with the Bulls, coming in unproven, brushed aside, and written off as underdeveloped talents. Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, Lonzo Ball, and even Coby White, at times, have all been subject to heavy criticism in and outside of a Bulls uniform. March has seen a reformed version of many of these contributors, Giddey being the most notably excellent newcomer. Through seven outings this month, he's posting 21.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per night. He's averaging the least turnovers he has all season, shooting over 52% from the field and getting to the foul line six times per night. His explosiveness and vision have allowed the surrounding cast to flourish and the team's success to follow suit.
Josh Giddey over his last 10 games:
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 23, 2025
15 PTS - 17 AST - 8 STL
22 PTS - 7 REB - 67% FG
29 PTS - 10 REB - 4 AST
26 PTS - 10 REB - 12 AST
19 PTS - 13 REB - 9 AST
18 PTS - 9 REB - 7 AST
19 PTS - 8 REB - 12 AST
21 PTS - 8 REB - 12 AST
25 PTS - 16 REB - 6 AST
24 PTS - 8 REB - 10 AST… pic.twitter.com/SKUfjUfWGc
Coby White Has Become A Lethal Scoring Option
Behind every great stat-stuffing facilitator lies an elite scoring counterpart; enter Coby White. The 25-year-old former North Carolina Tar Heel is averaging just shy of 30 points per night in March while slashing a 50/35/89 shooting line. When his three-point shot is falling, the Bulls are hard to beat. Over the last ten, when he has canned at least three from downtown, Chicago is 5-1. In the previous two games, he's shot 11-of-19 from deep and 16-for-19 from the free throw line. Not only has he filled Zach LaVine's shoes, but he's also exceeded expectations heading into a crucial contract season in 2025-26.
3 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH 35+ PTS FOR COBY WHITE 🤩
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2025
🔥 37 PTS
🔥 4 AST
🔥 2 STL
🔥 5 3PM
Part of a masterful 10-game stretch for White & and the Bulls! pic.twitter.com/loQhRsLvWV
While the Giddey and White duo may not have made front-page headlines when constructed, they're turning into one of the most impressive young backcourts in the league. 8-2 in their last ten outings and slowly moving up in the Eastern Conference standings, the Bulls are an upset waiting to happen when postseason play begins. Can the young tandem lead the new-look Bulls beyond the NBA Play-In Tournament, or will they finish a third consecutive season one game short of playoff contention?
