WASHINGTON — Leonard Miller delivered a career-best performance, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, as the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 119-108 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, completing a two-game sweep and snapping a lengthy stretch without consecutive wins.
The Bulls also got strong contributions from Tre Jones, who poured in 31 points, and Collin Sexton, who added 27. Together, the trio combined to shoot an efficient 65.3% (32-of-49) from the field, powering Chicago (31-49) to its most dominant stretch in months.
Just days after dismantling the Wizards 129-98 on Tuesday night to end a seven-game losing skid, the Bulls followed up with another convincing road win. It marked the first time Chicago has won back-to-back games since Jan. 22-24. Since that brief surge, the team has gone just 8-27, highlighting the challenges they’ve faced in the latter half of the season.
With the victory, the Bulls pulled even with the Milwaukee Bucks for 11th place in the Eastern Conference. While both teams are officially eliminated from postseason contention, Chicago now holds the best record among teams no longer in playoff contention.
Miller, in particular, was a revelation. The young forward matched his career high in rebounds while setting a new personal best in scoring, providing the Bulls with interior presence and second-chance opportunities throughout the night.
Chicago’s momentum peaked late in the third quarter when they unleashed a decisive 16-4 run to close the period. Jones was instrumental in the surge, scoring the final six points, including back-to-back layups in the closing minute that pushed the lead to 87-74 heading into the fourth. From there, the Bulls maintained control and never let the Wizards mount a serious comeback.
On the downside, Bulls center Guerschon Yabusele was forced to exit early in the third quarter with a sprained left shoulder. His status for the remainder of the season remains uncertain and could impact Chicago’s frontcourt depth in the final stretch.
For the Washington Wizards, it was another difficult night in what has been a brutal season. Will Riley led the way with 23 points, while Julian Reese contributed a solid double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. However, the NBA-worst Wizards (17-63) were severely shorthanded, with 10 players sidelined due to injuries. They have now dropped 24 of their last 25 games and have just two contests remaining on the schedule.
The Bulls’ back-to-back victories offer a glimmer of hope and momentum as the regular season winds down. While playoff hopes are long gone, Thursday’s win — anchored by Miller’s breakout night and efficient team offense — provides a positive note for a franchise looking to build toward the future.
With two games left, Chicago will look to carry this momentum forward and finish the season on a high note. For the Wizards, the focus remains on managing injuries and positioning themselves for a strong draft lottery haul after yet another disappointing campaign.