1980–81 Chicago Bulls season

The 1980–81 NBA season was the Bulls' 15th season in the NBA and their first season in the Eastern Conference.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * March 31
 * @ New York
 * W 90–80
 * Ricky Sobers (18)
 * Artis Gilmore (16)
 * Ricky Sobers (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 14,822
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 3
 * New York
 * W 115–114 (OT)
 * Reggie Theus (37)
 * Dwight Jones (14)
 * Reggie Theus (11)
 * Chicago Stadium 19,901
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 5
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–121
 * Dwight Jones (19)
 * Dwight Jones (9)
 * Jones, Sobers (4)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 7
 * @ Boston
 * L 97–106
 * Reggie Theus (21)
 * Gilmore, Jones (10)
 * three players tied (4)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * April 10
 * Boston
 * L 107–113
 * Reggie Theus (26)
 * David Greenwood (12)
 * Reggie Theus (8)
 * Chicago Stadium 19,995
 * 0–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * April 12
 * Boston
 * L 103–109
 * David Greenwood (24)
 * Artis Gilmore (15)
 * Theus, Sobers (7)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,249
 * 0–4

Awards and records

 * Artis Gilmore, NBA All-Star Game
 * Reggie Theus, NBA All-Star Game