The Chicago Bulls defeated the Washington Wizards 121-117 in a tight rematch at Capital One Arena on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Collin Sexton led the way with 18.4 points per game on the season, while Nikola Vučević added a dominant double-double with 17.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. The Wizards, despite a valiant effort from Will Riley, who scored 16.7 points, were unable to overcome the Bulls' offensive efficiency and missed key contributors like Alex Sarr and Trae Young due to injury.
The Bulls entered the game as -5.5 favorites after their 31-point win two days prior, and they showed signs of confidence from the start. Chicago shot over 45% from the field in the first meeting, and while they didn’t replicate that exact efficiency, they maintained a balanced attack. Vučević was a consistent presence in the paint, while Sexton kept the offense moving with his quickness and mid-range scoring.
Washington’s home struggles continued as they fell to 0-10 at Capital One Arena this season. The Wizards’ roster was further weakened by the absences of Trae Young (back), Anthony Davis (finger), and Alex Sarr (toe), leaving Will Riley and Tre Johnson to carry much of the offensive load. Riley’s 30-point game earlier in the week was a bright spot, but Thursday was a different story.
The game was competitive throughout, with the Wizards making adjustments and playing with more urgency. Tre Johnson added 11.5 points off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to offset the Bulls’ depth. Chicago’s bench also contributed, helping them maintain control in the second half.
The Bulls’ win improves their record to 30-49, while the Wizards fall to 17-62. Both teams are officially eliminated from playoff contention and are now focused on evaluating young talent and positioning for the 2026 NBA Draft. Every point, assist, and rebound will be scrutinized in the coming weeks.
Fans can catch the action on Fubo, which offers live streaming of regional and national NBA coverage. The game was also broadcast locally on Chicago Sports Network and Monumental Sports Network.
The Bulls and Wizards will each play their final regular-season games in the coming days. For Chicago, the next game is a home matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Washington will look to close out the season with a win as they host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
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