Caleb Wilson Is Chasing Michael Jordan’s Bulls Record, Even In A Home-Opener Loss

Caleb Wilson in his Chicago Bulls jersey© Instagram /@c.dubbb

Caleb Wilson is in rare company, and only one name stands above him. The Bulls rookie scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Chicago's home opener, and his total through three games now sits behind only Michael Jordan in franchise history. It was a big night for the No. 4 pick, but it came in a loss. The Wizards won 124-120, and a bad third quarter ended up costing the Bulls.

Wilson sits one spot behind Michael Jordan

Through three career games, Wilson has 67 points. That is the second-most by any Bulls player in their first three games, behind Jordan's 74. Wilson even matched Jordan's numbers in the first two games, with 16 points in the opener and 21 in the second.

The comparisons don't stop there. Both came out of North Carolina and were stars at Chapel Hill. Jordan was national player of the year in 1984, and Wilson was a second-team All-American in his one season there. Chicago picked Jordan third in 1984, and it took Wilson fourth in a strong 2026 class. Jordan's legacy needs no explanation, and Wilson is only getting started, but the early numbers are hard to ignore.

Saturday was his best game yet. He hit 10 of 24 shots, with career highs of 30 points and 14 rebounds, plus three assists and two steals. He struggled from three, making one of nine. He also lit up the first half with five dunks and drew a foul on every other try.

How the Bulls let this one slip away

Chicago came out sharp. Josh Giddey, Jalen Smith and Norman Powell hit early threes, and the Bulls built a double-digit lead before Washington led 28-27 after one. Wilson set the tone with four dunk attempts in the quarter, and Matas Buzelis added a poster dunk of his own.

The Bulls ran the floor and won the fast-break battle 34-9. They forced 10 steals, and Washington shot just 10 of 33 from three. But the third quarter changed everything. Chicago shot 7 of 24 and went 2 of 11 from deep. The Wizards outrebounded them 16-9 in the quarter, hit 10 of 12 inside, and won it by 20 to lead 97-82.

The Bulls made a late push, a 16-4 run capped by back-to-back threes from Wilson and Buzelis, and the home crowd got loud. It wasn't enough. Coach Tiago Splitter said the team was inconsistent with its coverages against Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and that Chicago forced some bad shots.