The Chicago Bulls couldn’t fend off a second-half scoring flurry from the reigning champs Saturday, dropping a 123-101 blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets.

The Bulls are now 2-5 to start the season as they sink into a two-game losing skid.

Here are six takeaways from Saturday’s loss.

1. There as well balanced scoring and assists in the first half.

The first half was a template for how the Bulls can create offensive success.

The Bulls only took eight 2-pointers from outside the paint — six of which came from midrange specialist DeMar DeRozan. This style of offense allowed every player to score at least one basket. Only three makes in the half were unassisted.

They shot a lower volume of 3-pointers, but went 6-for-16 from behind the arc with improved shooting accuracy. And despite missing seven shots at the rim, the Bulls led 53-51 heading into the locker room.

2. A third-quarter implosion by the Bulls.

The Nuggets opened the second half on a 24-4 run. DeMar DeRozan supplied the Bulls’ only baskets to break up the scoring frenzy, which was fueled by second-chance opportunities and slashing layups.

The disparity between the two teams in the quarter was stark. The Nuggets shot 3-for-8 from 3-point range while the Bulls went 0-for-4. Denver went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line, while the Bulls took only three free throws.

The Bulls managed to cut the deficit back down to 10 points by the end of the quarter, but the damage was already done.

3. Alex Caruso was sidelined after apparent arm injury.

Alex Caruso started Saturday’s game with his typical reckless abandon — but a breakaway dunk in the second quarter might have sparked his first injury concern of the year.

Torrey Craig snagged a steal, then slung a pass ahead to Caruso where he had leaked out toward the opposing basket. The Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon attempted to track down the ensuing shot for a block, but instead collided with the smaller guard midair when Caruso threw down a dunk.

Caruso crashed to the ground, attempting to brace himself with his right arm — a familiar sight that brought back the memory of the collision with Grayson Allen in 2022 that resulted in a fractured right wrist. Despite visibly wincing after the play, Caruso stayed in the game for another minute, displaying discomfort when he attempted a block two plays later.

Caruso wore a heat pack on his right arm on the bench in the second half. He played four minutes in the second half — logging one shot attempt and one turnover — before he was pulled.

Injuries have been the main hindrance of Caruso’s career, sidelining him for half of his first season in Chicago. This will be a major concern for the Bulls if they are forced to play any sizable amount of time without their defensive cornerstone.

4. Solid defense on Nikola Jokić — to start.

The Bulls have often guarded Nuggets star Nikola Jokíc well and that trend seemed to continue in the first half. Jokić managed only 11 points and three assists — a relatively low number for a player averaging over 27 points per game to start the season.

But that didn’t last long for the Bulls. Jokić tallied 13 points and three assists in the third quarter to fuel the Nuggets as they overwhelmed the Bulls, finishing with 28 points, nine assists and 16 rebounds.

5. Jevon Carter brings an offensive spark off bench.

After logging his first double-digit performance in a Bulls jersey on Friday, Jevon Carter continued his hot shooting in Denver.

Carter went 4-for-5 from 3-point range off the bench, supplying 16 points while shooting at the most accurate clip of the entire roster. The rest of the Bulls went 3-for-21 from 3-point range in a low volume, lackluster shooting night.

6. Patrick Williams continues to struggle with 3-point shooting.

After being pulled from the starting rotation Friday, Patrick Williams provided a slightly more consistent performance in the secondary rotation.

He earned his second trip to the free-throw line of the season in the second quarter, making both shots. And in the second half, Williams scored back-to-back baskets off decisive takes to the rim, including a thunderous dunk off a cut.

But Williams still can’t find his shot.

He finished 0-for-5 from 3-point range in his fourth game of the season without a make from behind the arc. Williams is now 4-for-24 (16.7%) from 3-point range through seven games.

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