Getty Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.
The Oklahoma City Thunder head to the United Center in Chicago on October 25 to take on the Bulls in the season opener for both teams.
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The game will be televised locally on Bally Sports Oklahoma (Thunder markets) and NBC Sports Chicago (Bulls markets), but if you don’t have cable, don’t have those channels or you live out of market, you can watch a live stream for free on FuboTV, DirecTV Stream or Amazon Prime.
Here’s how:
Thunder vs Bulls Live Stream Guide
In-Market & Out-of-Market Viewers: FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBC Sports Chicago (local markets), NBA League Pass (includes every out-of-market game) and 100-plus other TV channels on FuboTV.
Local sports networks are included in the main bundle, while NBA League Pass is a separate add-on, but any packages and add-ons can be included in your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch the Thunder vs Bulls live on the FuboTV app or FuboTV website.
Compatible devices for the FuboTV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
In-Market Viewers: DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” Bally Sports Oklahoma and NBC Sports Chicago (local markets) are included in “Choice” and up, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch the Thunder vs Bulls live on the DirecTV Stream app or DirecTV Stream website.
Compatible devices for the DirecTV Stream app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
Out-of-Market Viewers: Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime subscribers (Prime comes with a 30-day free trial) can watch every out-of-market NBA game via NBA League Pass on Prime Channels. You can try both Amazon Prime and the NBA League Pass channel at no cost with a free trial:
NBA League Pass on Amazon Prime
Once you’re signed up for the Prime League Pass Channel, you can watch the Thunder vs Bulls live on the Amazon Video app or Amazon website.
Compatible devices for the Amazon Video app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, various smart TV’s, Xiaomi, Echo Show or Echo Spot, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
Thunder vs Bulls Preview
The Thunder finished with a 40-42 record last season, losing in the play-in tournament. It was a disappointing end to an up and down season, and the team will be looking to make some noise in the postseason this year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have more help on offense this season, as big man Chet Holmgren will be making his NBA debut. Holmgren missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a Lisfranc injury and he should be a big difference maker in the paint.
This offseason, OKC added Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans and Jack White. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort and Josh Giddey should round out the starting lineup.
On the other side, the Bulls finished with a record of 40-42 last year. Like Oklahoma City, Chicago also fell in the play-in tourney. Now, the Bulls are looking to get back to the playoffs.
The Bulls had a quiet offseason. They added former Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter and former Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig despite being linked to Damian Lillard trade talks.
Leading Chicago once again will be the formidable trio of of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. Joining them in the starting lineup will be Patrick Williams and Coby White. It will be the first year White takes the reins as starting point guard, and he’ll be key if the Bulls want to elevate their game.
Thunder vs Bulls: What They’re Saying
“If we can take shots in the paint, that’s better for us. Last year, we were the best team in the league at finishing in the paint. The problem is we got there the least amount of time of anybody in the league. My staff and I have to help with spacing, so we can be able to do that. When you get downhill, there’s generally help. And that’s when the ball can move a lot better.” — Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.
“It will always come down to taking what the defense gives me, and putting their defense on their heels. I think that’s how I try to attack. What it comes down to every offensive possession is productive pressure on the defense. If that’s what it calls for, that’s what it calls for. I try not to think too much about it, just play my game and play comfortable.” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on his role this season.