Checking the Chicago Bulls score has become a bit of a roller coaster lately. If you’re looking for the live score right now, Sunday, January 18, 2026, here’s the deal: the Bulls are playing the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center, but the game hasn't tipped off yet. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Honestly, tonight is a massive "revenge game" scenario. Just two nights ago, Chicago suffered one of those losses that makes you want to throw the remote at the wall. They clawed back from 20 points down against these same Nets, actually took the lead with 11 seconds left, and then... well, they lost. Michael Porter Jr. hit a layup with 5 seconds to go, and the Bulls walked away with a 112-109 heartbreaker.
So, if you're wondering what the score of the Chicago Bulls is at this very moment, the scoreboard is currently sitting at 0-0. But there is a lot of baggage coming into this arena tonight.
What Happened in the Last Bulls Game?
The Friday night disaster in Brooklyn is still stinging. It was the first leg of this home-and-home series. Watching the Bulls right now is sort of like watching a lab experiment in "almost."
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Nikola Vucevic was solid with 19 points, and Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 18, but the story was the fourth-quarter surge that fell just short. After Cam Thomas opened the final frame with a three to put the Nets up 92-72, nobody expected a game. Then Chicago rattled off an 11-0 run. They eventually took a 109-108 lead on a Tre Jones layup.
Then, the collapse:
- Michael Porter Jr. scored a layup to put Brooklyn back up.
- Drake Powell (the rookie) stole the inbound pass.
- Noah Clowney iced it at the free-throw line.
Final score: Nets 112, Bulls 109.
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Tonight’s Matchup: Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Bulls enter tonight with a 19-22 record, sitting right at the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re basically fighting for their lives in the Play-In tournament race. Brooklyn is further down the standings at 12-27, but they’ve had Chicago's number lately, winning both head-to-head meetings this season.
Oddsmakers are actually favoring Chicago tonight. They opened as 6.5-point favorites. Maybe it’s the "United Center" factor, or maybe it’s the fact that it’s hard to beat the same team twice in 48 hours. The over/under is hovering around 222.5 points.
Key Players to Watch
Josh Giddey has been dealing with a strained left hamstring, which has been a huge blow to the Bulls' playmaking. Without him, the offense feels a little more stagnant. You're looking at Coby White to carry the perimeter scoring load—he's averaging about 18 points a game this season.
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Also, keep an eye on Matas Buzelis. He’s been a bright spot in a weird season. Even though he had a nightmare fast-break dunk miss in the last game that fans are still talking about, his energy is usually what flips the momentum at the United Center.
The Bigger Picture for the Bulls
Why does this specific score matter so much? Because the schedule is about to get brutal. After tonight, the Bulls host the Clippers on Tuesday, then head to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Thursday.
If they can’t take care of a 12-win Brooklyn team at home, the vibes in Chicago are going to get very dark, very fast. The Eastern Conference middle-class is crowded. Detroit is surprisingly leading the division at 28-10, and Cleveland is hanging tough at 23-19. The Bulls are stuck in that "no man's land" where every single regular-season game feels like a playoff must-win.
Where to Watch the Game
If you aren't at the United Center tonight (which is 4th in the league for attendance this year, by the way), you can catch the game on CHSN (Chicago Sports Network) or YES if you’re tuning in from the New York area.
Actionable Steps for Bulls Fans
- Monitor the Injury Report: Check specifically for Josh Giddey’s status about 30 minutes before tip-off. If he’s a surprise active, the spread might move.
- Betting Insight: The Bulls are 10-10-1 against the spread at home. They aren't exactly a "lock" even when they're favorites.
- Watch the First Quarter: Chicago has a habit of starting slow. If they fall behind by double digits early again, look for them to struggle to find that same comeback energy they used up on Friday.
- Plan for Next Week: If you're looking to attend a game, the January 24th matchup against the Celtics is the big one—it's Derrick Rose Jersey Retirement night. Tickets for that are already north of $220.
Getting the Chicago Bulls score tonight is about more than just numbers; it’s about seeing if this team has the mental toughness to bounce back from a gut-punch loss. Turn on the TV at 7:00 PM ET and see if they can finally shut down Michael Porter Jr. and the Nets.