Bulls’ Caleb Wilson experiences full-circle moment playing against Nikola Jokic

Caleb Wilson, the Chicago Bulls' top rookie, experienced a full-circle moment during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, where he played against his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. So far, Wilson's performance in the 2026-27 NBA preseason has been impressive, as he has made a solid impression in his first three games. On Sunday, the Bulls traveled to Denver, where they faced their 'idol' Nikola Jokic.

For Wilson, this matchup was a chance to meet and play against the player he admired since he was younger. Wilson had previously expressed his admiration for Jokic, stating, "I really like Jokić, that’s my favorite player!" in May during the NBA Combine. He also posted on Instagram, saying, "bro was my favorite player when I was younger."

Despite the excitement of playing against Jokic, the Bulls lost the game 133-128. Wilson contributed 17 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, shooting 6-for-10 from the field. In contrast, Jokic delivered a stellar performance with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. The two players shared an embrace after the game as they acknowledged the special moment.

The Bulls currently have a 1-2 preseason record as the regular season approaches. Wilson's performance in the preseason has been solid, averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He is expected to continue proving his abilities and potentially compete for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The Bulls will next face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 pm CST/8:00 pm EST, with their final home preseason game scheduled for Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.