Sunday was a dark day for the Chicago Bulls franchise.
Not only did the 1995-96 edition see their 72-win feat equaled by the Warriors, but the current iteration also was eliminated from playoff contention as a result of the Indiana Pacers' 129-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It's the first time the Bulls, 40-40 with two games remaining, will miss the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.
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Less than a year ago, the Bulls were giving the Cleveland Cavaliers all they could handle in the second round of the playoffs. Jimmie Butler was blossoming into a star and Derrick Rose was showing signs of the player he used to be. The Bulls led 2-1 after three games, but dropped three in a row to end their run.
Things haven't been right since.
A coaching change (firing Tom Thibodeau and hiring Fred Hoiberg), a rash of injuries (Joakim Noah, Butler and Rose have all missed significant time) and chemistry issues have sabotaged a team that was in second place in the Eastern Conference in January.
When you consider all that, an early start to the offseason might not be a bad idea for the Bulls.
The team is unlikely to part with Butler, but much of the rest of the roster is far from indispensable. Perhaps a fresh start from top to bottom may not be a bad idea.
Stud of the night
The clock is ticking loudly on Kobe Bryant’s career, but he gave the fans in Houston their money’s worth. Bryant scored 35 points on 10-for-22 shooting from the field in a 130-110 Lakers loss to the Rockets.
Dud of the night
The Charlotte Hornets shot poorly as a group Sunday, resulting in a 113-98 loss to the Washington Wizards. The Hornets shot just 34.6 percent from the field, as Nicholas Batum, Courtney Lee and Kemba Walker went a combined 9-for-33 from the field.
Tweet of the night
Twenty years after Steve Kerr helped Michael Jordan and the Bulls get to 72 wins, his Golden State Warriors have done the same. The Warriors' 92-86 win over the San Antonio Spurs tied the Bulls' record with one game to go. Will they be able to get it done against the Memphis Grizzlies?
For The Books... #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/vylnE5iokp
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2016
Looking ahead:
Charlotte Hornets (46-34) at Boston Celtics (47-33), 7:30 p.m. ET: A Hornets win would temporarily create a three-way tie for third in the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday night, with the Heat in the mix as well.