Arturas Karnisovas knows how the Bulls’ brand plays overseas.
He was on the other end of it in 1997, when Michael Jordan & Co. went to Europe for the preseason McDonald’s Championship and put a hurting on Karnisovas and his European champion Olympiakos team by 26 points.
So, of course, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations was thrilled to hear that the team was returning to Europe during the 2022-23 season.
The NBA announced Tuesday that the Bulls and Pistons will play a regular-season game in Paris on Jan. 19, 2023. It’ll be the Bulls’ first game in Europe since that ’97 showcase.
“It is a great honor to bring Chicago Bulls basketball back to Paris for The NBA Paris Game 2023 — an event that illustrates the league’s commitment to amplifying the national and global impact of basketball,’’ Karnisovas said in a statement. “Having played several games in Paris during my career, I know how special this will be for our players, our organization and our international fan base. We look forward to representing Chicago overseas and are grateful for the opportunity to do so.’’
The Bulls played preseason games in London in 2009, then in Rio de Janeiro in 2013. They also played a regular-season game in Mexico City in 2018.
Fans can visit www.nbaevents.nba.com/paris/nba-paris for ticket presale information.
NOTES: Guard Zach LaVine had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Los Angeles. A source said there was no further damage, and the Bulls expect him to make a full recovery.
† Forward DeMar DeRozan earned All-NBA second-team honors, his third time making an All-NBA team. DeRozan received two first-team votes, 39 second-team votes and 57 third-team votes.
