The Bulls’ season came crashing down in a 109-90 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in game. It wasn’t just the scoreline that hurt—it was how they got beat. Erik Spoelstra outfoxed them at every turn, exposing holes in strategy, execution and talent. And while Josh Giddey and Coby White struggled to make an impact, the real story is higher up the food chain.
Karnisovas’ Failed Vision
Arturas Karnisovas has been running the show for years now and this ship is headed straight for the rocks. His focus on “development” and incremental progress has the team treading water instead of making waves.
No elite player—a true difference maker—was on display against the Heat. All-Star Tyler Herro dropped 38 on the Bulls and Chicago fans are left wondering why their team still doesn’t have a star. The front office’s inability to land or develop one is a big fat failure of Karnisovas’ leadership.
False Hope and Missed Opportunities
For months, the Bulls have teased us with glimpses of what could be. A late season surge had many thinking they could finally break free from the Heat’s grip. But Wednesday night proved those hopes were built on sand. Without someone who can take over games when it matters most, the Bulls are stuck in mediocrity.
Even head coach Billy Donovan acknowledged the issue after the game. “You look at any great team, they have ‘a guy’ that’s really, really elite,” he said. He praised Giddey and White for their progress, but admitted the roster isn’t championship caliber.
What Went Wrong?
From the opening tip, everything that could go wrong did. Herro sliced through the defense like it was nothing, setting the tone early. Loose balls? The Bulls didn’t even bother to chase them. Fast break points? Two in the first quarter. This wasn’t just a bad game, it was a systemic failure.
In the third quarter, the Bulls showed some life, but the deficit was too big. By the end of the game, frustration hung in the air. For the third year in a row, the Heat sent the Bulls packing.
Player Accountability
Karnisovis gets a lot of the blame, but the players didn’t help themselves. Giddey looked lost on defense and couldn’t slow down Herro or anyone else Miami threw at him. White shot 5-20 and turned it over 7 times. Rookie Matas Buzelis is promising but too raw to be accountable.
“We dug ourselves a hole and it was tough to get out,” Giddey said after. But digging holes seems to be a theme for this organization under Karnisovas.
Time for Change
Coby White summed it up best: “It’s very disappointing to lose to the same team three years in a row. Just gotta be better. Gotta learn from it.” Maybe start at the top. Karnisovas has been all about missed opportunities, empty promises, and a roster that can’t deliver in big moments.
If the Bulls want to compete in the East, they need to stop talking about development and start delivering results. That means finding or creating an elite player who can carry the team.