ATLANTA — Hold onto your seats, Bulls fans! The Windy City’s basketball scene just got a whole lot faster and fiercer. In a heart-pounding 152-150 shootout victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Coby White didn’t just return to form—he exploded onto the scene like a sprinter breaking records on the track. With the Bulls securing their third straight win, White’s performance wasn’t just a comeback; it was a declaration. Chicago’s new track star has arrived, and his rhythm is absolutely unstoppable!
The Hawks, ranked fifth in the league for pace, met the second-fastest Bulls in what can only be described as a full-throttle track meet. Defense? Optional. Speed? Mandatory. For White, who has been battling back from a rocky start to the season due to injuries, this high-octane matchup was the ultimate workout. “This game, I ain’t gonna lie, the first couple of minutes, I remember I came to the bench, and one of our assistants, John Bryant, was like, ‘Man, this game is a track meet,’” White recalled post-game, looking drained but determined. “I said, ‘You have no idea.’ So I knew from the jump that it was going to be one of those games.”
And what a game it was. White poured in 21 points, with 11 of those coming in a clutch fourth quarter that showcased his growing endurance. This marks his fourth 20-plus-point outing in his last five starts, and the Bulls (now 13-15) have triumphed in four of those contests. While it wasn’t the vintage White who dazzled post-All-Star break last season—averaging 24.5 points on 49.4% shooting—it was undeniable progress. He’s igniting scoreboards, turning fast breaks into fireworks, and proving why he’s the face of the franchise.
White’s journey back hasn’t been a sprint; it’s been a marathon of setbacks. A right calf injury in late August sidelined him through late-summer scrimmages, training camp, preseason, and even the early regular-season games. Upon return, minutes restrictions loomed, followed by a strained left calf that forced more time on the bench. Entering this matchup, his numbers reflected the rust: a dismal 21.2% from three-point range, 18.7 points per game in December, and a career-worst 2.8 turnovers. But as Bulls coach Billy Donovan wisely noted, it’s all about building that stamina. “As fast as the league is playing and as we’ve tried to play, I do think he’s got to catch up physically to get in better shape,” Donovan said. “The conditioning part, the timing and the rhythm, he’s got to get back. If he can stay healthy, I think his stamina and endurance will come back.”
White himself estimates he’s at about 80% capacity, but games like this are accelerating his recovery. “This is one of those games that helped me, for sure, in terms of my conditioning,” he admitted. “We’re, like, the two fastest teams in the NBA, so I was tired.” Yet, amid the exhaustion, there was exhilaration. The Bulls dished out a staggering 41 assists and had nine players in double figures, with rookie sensation Matas Buzelis leading the charge at 27 points. The game came down to the wire: After Jalen Johnson’s three-pointer trimmed the lead to one with 5.9 seconds left, Buzelis split a pair of free throws, leaving the Hawks with 4.2 seconds. Trae Young’s desperate 16-footer missed, and no foul was called—sealing the Bulls’ thrilling win.
But let’s not bury the lede: This victory wasn’t just about the scoreboard; it was about White reclaiming his rhythm. “I’m still trying to get it back,” he said candidly. “I’ve never not had a training camp and preseason, so my agents kind of warned me about it. It’s different because everybody else is way ahead of you conditioning-wise.” Warned or not, White is catching up fast—pun intended. With each sprint down the court, each bucket in transition, he’s not just getting in shape; he’s reshaping the Bulls’ future.
Chicago, your track star is here to stay. Coby White is igniting the NBA, one unstoppable burst at a time. The Bulls are running hot, and with White leading the pack, who knows how far this race will take them? Stay tuned— the best is yet to come!