The Chicago Bulls snagged their first 2026 NBA Summer League victory Tuesday, pulling away for a 99-87 win over the Washington Wizards. This wasn't just any win, though, because the Wizards were seriously short-handed: No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa has been shut down for the rest of Summer League, according to The Athletic's T.J. Sorrentino. And if that wasn't enough, second-year guards Will Riley and Tre Johnson also sat out, expected to miss the rest of the action. Talk about an uphill battle for Washington.
Chicago absolutely capitalized on that depleted lineup, thanks to a standout performance from their own rookie, No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson. He was everywhere, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a block, really pacing the Bulls' attack. But Wilson wasn't alone carrying the load. Jaylin Sellers was cooking, leading all scorers with 24 points and knocking down an insane 5-of-6 from three-point range, plus adding three steals and a block. Donovan Atwell chipped in with 19 points and a steal, rounding out a super balanced offensive effort for Chicago.
The Wizards, even without their top guy, had some fight. Chris Livingston stepped up big, leading Washington with 21 points and four rebounds, adding a block and a steal in their first Summer League loss. Seth Trimble added 13 points, three rebounds, and two steals, while Felix Okpara contributed 12 points and anchored the defense with a block and a steal. Still, the Bulls took a one-point lead into halftime, with Wilson already at nine points. Wilson then put an exclamation point on the third quarter, drilling a deep 3-pointer right at the buzzer to give Chicago a 66-59 advantage going into the fourth. From there, the Bulls just pulled away with a decisive final-quarter surge, and the short-handed Wizards couldn't keep pace.
This performance continued Wilson's strong Summer League showing, too. He dropped 19 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in Monday's 80-63 loss to the Utah Jazz. The Bulls are back in action Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Wizards continue their back-to-back Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.