Chicago Bulls Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Chicago Bulls. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1967 to the present.

In their 59 seasons in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls made the postseason 36 times. On those years they have played a total of 69 playoff series, of which they won 39 and lost 30, for a 56.5 winning percentge.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 6 times and have won 6 Championships.

Chicago Bulls Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference). They defeated the Hawks and lost to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2023 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference). They lost to the Heat and defeated the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2022 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2021 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2020 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-43 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-60 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2017 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2016 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

2015 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2014 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Washington Wizards 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2013 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Brooklyn Nets 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Heat ended up winning the Championship.

2012 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (50-16 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2011 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (62-20 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

2010 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2009 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2008 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2007 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2006 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

* The Heat ended up winning the Championship.

2005 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Washington Wizards 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2004 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2003 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2002 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-61 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2001 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (15-67 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2000 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-65 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

1999 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (13-37 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

1998 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (62-20 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New Jersey Nets 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Charlotte Hornets 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1998, it was the 6th NBA title in franchise history.

1997 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (69-13 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Bullets 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1997, it was the 5th NBA title in franchise history.

1996 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (72-10 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Seattle Supersonics 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1996, it was the 4th NBA title in franchise history.

1995 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Charlotte Hornets 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Orlando Magic 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1994 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1993 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1993, it was the 3rd NBA title in franchise history.

1992 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (67-15 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1992, it was the 2nd NBA title in franchise history.

1991 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (61-21 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the NBA Finals

The Bulls won the Championship in 1991, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

1990 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

* The Pistons ended up winning the Championship.

1989 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

* The Pistons ended up winning the Championship.

1988 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1987 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (40-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1986 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (30-52 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1985 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (38-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1984 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

1983 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1982 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1981 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 2-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1980 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1979 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

1978 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 8th in the Western Conference).

1977 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 1-2 in the Western Conference First Round

* The Trail Blazers ended up winning the Championship.

1976 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1975 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 4-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 3-4 in the Western Conference Finals

* The Warriors ended up winning the Championship.

1974 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (54-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 0-4 in the Western Conference Finals

1973 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1972 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

1971 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1970 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Division (39-43 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 1-4 in the Western Division Semifinals

1969 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

1968 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Division (29-53 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-4 in the Western Division Semifinals

1967 Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Division (33-48 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the St. Louis Hawks 0-3 in the Western Division Semifinals
- end of timeline