Chicago Bulls Routed 139-109 by Toronto Raptors as Draft-Lottery Race Tightens

On March 19, 2026, the Chicago Bulls fell 139-109 to the visiting Toronto Raptors at the United Center, a lopsided defeat that underscored the Bulls’ late-season struggles and left questions about their competitive focus.

Second-year forward Matas Buzelis scored 19 points — his seventh game of at least 18 points this March — but the Bulls were overwhelmed as the Raptors built a 15-point first-quarter edge and erupted for a 40-point second quarter. RJ Barrett scored 10 points in the game's first seven minutes. The loss dropped Chicago to 28-41; the team remains a half-game behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings, a margin that affects draft-lottery positioning. Published reports also said Milwaukee sought to have Giannis Antetokounmpo shut down for the season and that he declined, with the Bucks believed to favor a softer remaining schedule.

Coach Billy Donovan pointed to turnovers and a lack of physicality: Chicago conceded 20 points off turnovers in the first half, left its feet on shot fakes six times and trailed the transition battle 12-5. Starter Jalen Smith said the team “had no fight” and urged a tougher mental approach ahead of Thursday’s home game against playoff-bound Cleveland. The defeat highlighted both immediate roster concerns and the broader implications as the Bulls and Bucks jockey for positioning late in the season.