Chicago Bulls defeat Boston Celtics 121-99 with 3,399 in attendance as fans are welcomed back to the United Center for 1st time since COVID-19 hit

Just before tip-off of Friday night’s 121-99 win at the United Center, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine took the microphone in front of 3,399 fans at midcourt to deliver a brief address to the first home crowd in nearly 14 months.

“We all know how really hard this year has been, so we appreciate you guys’ support,” LaVine said. “We’re so happy that you guys are back. We missed you guys. Let’s continue to get this year strong. Everybody stay social distanced, wear your mask and above all, go Bulls. Let’s finish this out y’all.”

LaVine was greeted with extended cheers after his brief remarks and serenaded with a standing ovation after he was introduced during pregame warmups. And in their first opportunity to welcome center Nikola Vučević since he was acquired at the trade deadline, fans delivered a long “Vooocchhh” chant as he was introduced during pregame warmups. They responded to the Boston Celtics in kind, booing Kemba Walker and the rest of their starting lineup.

After nearly an entire season of empty arenas and piped-in crowd noise, even a limited crowd provided a welcome atmosphere.

“Whenever we went and played in arenas where they had fans, it was refreshing, especially to interact with some of the people and hear the crowd noise,” LaVine said this week. “Some trash talking or the cheers or whatever it is, just having that atmosphere in basketball is great. With your home fans and the city being back here, it’s going to be great. Very excited to at least play some games back at the United Center with our fans there.”

And fans were certainly excited to be back in the building, especially considering the Bulls were one of the last teams in the NBA to begin hosting again.

“It feels great,” said Anthony Bracamontes, 40, who attended the game with his brother, Justin Piña. “It’s been so many months since we’ve been back and I didn’t know if we were even going to be able to come back this season. Season’s almost over and we’re just like ‘Yo, I guess it’s a wash. We’ll make next season.’ So it just feels amazing to be back in the building.”

Joshua Davenport, 39, attend nearly every home game before the pandemic with his friend, Otis Banks, including the last home game with fans on March 10, 2020, against the Cleveland Cavaliers — and they were excited to betogether again for a Bulls game.

“High anticipation,” Davenport said. “Been waiting for this moment for a long time now. Just happy that we’re able to come back to the Madhouse on Madison, watch the Bulls play in person.”

The Bulls have installed increased safety measures for games, which included socially distanced seating , mask requirements, cashless payments and limiting congregating near concessions.

Fans that downloaded the mobile app CLEAR ahead of time got their pre-health screening out the way and considered the process of entering the stadium to be easy.

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“If not, I might still be outside,” Latoya Phillips said with a laugh.

Phillips, 38, wasn’t sure if the Bulls were going to host fans again this season, so during a recent trip to New Orleans she took advantage and got tickets to see the Pelicans and Golden State Warriors.

But she was ready to pounce when she got an email about tickets being available for Friday’s game. And it made for a nice late birthday present to herself and a perfect Mother’s Day weekend experience with her son, who attended the game with her.

“It’s a great feeling, I’ve been waiting all year to get back in here,” she said. “I’m just excited.”

The 2020-21 Bulls season is winding down, with five total games left and just three more home games for fans to see the team in person. Despite it being so late in the season and the Bulls postseason odds becoming slim, that couldn’t deter fans from coming to the game.

“Just to see live basketball,” Bracamontes said. “Aside from the record and them maybe not even getting into the play-in, just to see them play in person was motivation for us to come. I know it doesn’t look good, but just to see live basketball is the real reason we’re here.”