(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls were defeated by a final of 113-101 by the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at home, bringing their record to 36-40.
Despite losing, they actually had a reason to smile at the end of the night because according to K.C. Johnson, the Bulls officially clinched their spot in the Play-In Tournament.
The Bulls officially clinched a play-in spot despite their home loss to the Hawks.
10 observations: https://t.co/0FnkBBCMqx
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 2, 2024
As mentioned, the Bulls are 36-40 and the ninth seed, while the Hawks are right behind them in tenth place at 35-40.
Ahead of them are the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat in eighth and seventh place, respectively.
After the Hawks are the Brooklyn Nets, but their 29-47 record means they have practically no chance of reaching the Play-In.
That means that no matter what happens, the Bulls will be in the Play-In Tournament, fighting in either ninth or tenth place.
So it’s just a matter of which team, the Bulls or Hawks, has a home-court advantage during the game.
Their road to the playoffs will be difficult but some Bulls fans are very happy to see the team get this far.
When the season started, they were already without Lonzo Ball for another year, which was a devastating blow.
As the season went on, more injuries flared up, including a season-ending one to Zach LaVine.
Meanwhile, there were numerous rumors about the Bulls contemplating big changes and trades at the deadline.
In the end, they stuck with the roster they have now but most people assumed their chances of reaching the postseason were out of reach.
Last season, both the Heat and Los Angeles Lakers were able to play well during the Play-In and go far.
That will be the model that the Bulls hope to copy.
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