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CALLING OUT THE GAME ON AND OFF THE COURT.
NBA

Billy Donovan: Our Defense Shined—But Only Because Wizards Checked Out

Billy Donovan praises Bulls’ defense after a 31-point win—but the Wizards’ tanking casts a shadow over Chicago’s impressive performance.

EGElena Garcia
Apr 8, 2026 · Updated Apr 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Billy Donovan: Our Defense Shined—But Only Because Wizards Checked Out
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Technical Foul Drama and a 31-Point Blowout Mask the Real NBA Story

The Chicago Bulls’ 129-98 win over the Washington Wizards looked like a statement — until you realize the Wizards weren’t even trying. The real story? A tanking team throwing in the towel and a Bulls squad that shined only because their opponent quit.

Final Score: Bulls 129, Wizards 98 — But Who’s Really Winning?

At Capital One Arena, the Bulls shot a scorching 60%, led by Rob Dillingham’s 26 points and Tre Jones’ 20 points and 9 assists. The bench outscored Washington’s reserves 35-12, but that stat means little when your opponent looks like they’ve checked out.

The Wizards’ 17-62 record was on full display. Bub Carrington and Sharife Cooper combined for 31 points, but Carrington’s 2-8 from deep was a death knell. Defensive breakdowns were rampant, and the Bulls were handed open shots all night.

Defense or Paper Tigers?

Coach Billy Donovan praised his team’s defense, but holding a team under 100 points means little when the opponent isn’t even trying. Washington’s offense was a ghost, a team resigned to losing. The Bulls looked sharp — but only because they faced a squad that forgot how to compete.

The Tanking Circus and Its Toll on the Eastern Conference

The Wizards’ tanking is no secret — it’s an open wound in the NBA’s credibility. Every blowout loss is another step in the draft lottery dance, while fans are left frustrated. The Bulls, at 30-49, can’t fool anyone with this win. Crushing a bad team doesn’t prove playoff readiness.

Young Bulls Shine, But Against What Competition?

Rob Dillingham’s 26 points and Tre Jones’ near triple-double were bright spots — but only because they faced a defense that gave up long ago. On the Wizards’ side, Anthony Davis was invisible. The supposed core is crumbling, and no one steps up.

Why This Blowout Is Just Noise

This 31-point win is a headline grab for a season that means little to either team. The Bulls might ride this into the playoffs with false confidence. The Wizards remain an NBA laughingstock. The tank culture is alive — and these teams are proof.

Fans should temper expectations. The Bulls’ dominance is a mirage, and the Wizards’ surrender is a stain. The NBA deserves better than this hollow spectacle.

Photo: Photo by chasingfun on Openverse (flickr) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/82744666@N00/445116195)


Source: Google News

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