In a heart-pounding Sunday matinee that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Chicago Bulls turned State Farm Arena into their personal playground, outgunning the Atlanta Hawks in a 152-150 thriller. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. With their third straight victory, the Bulls (now 13-15) notched their first three-game win streak since their scorching 5-0 start to the 2025-26 season. But beyond the scoreboard, this game was a bonfire for the franchise’s record books, ignited by the dynamic duo of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
Let’s start with Giddey, the Australian wizard who’s been weaving magic since joining the Bulls. His stat line? A tantalizing near-triple-double: 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, plus 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. This performance didn’t just help seal the win—it exorcised the ghost of Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, whose shadow has loomed large over the franchise’s assist records. Pippen’s playmaking prowess defined an era, but Giddey’s orchestration pushed the Bulls to a staggering 41 assists, tying a rare franchise milestone achieved only twice before in Bulls history (per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network). In a game defined by breakneck pace and seamless ball movement, Giddey’s vision erased doubts about Chicago’s ability to channel the selfless, high-IQ basketball of their championship past. This isn’t just a stat—it’s a declaration that the Bulls’ point guard position is alive and thriving in the post-Lonzo Ball era.
But if Giddey was the conductor, Matas Buzelis was the symphony’s star soloist. The second-year forward erupted for a season-high 28 points, flirting with perfection on 10-of-11 shooting from the field—including a blistering 7-of-8 from beyond the arc. That’s right: Buzelis’s lone miss was his only blemish in an otherwise flawless display, marking a new career high in made threes. Coming off a 24-point outburst against Cleveland just two days prior, this back-to-back 20-point explosion is the first of Buzelis’s young career (again, shoutout to K.C. Johnson for the stat). His nine points in the second quarter alone helped Chicago build a 83-73 halftime lead, and his poise in crunch time—including a crucial free throw in the final seconds—announced the dawn of a new Bulls era. No longer just a promising rookie, Buzelis is evolving into the offensive cornerstone Chicago has craved since the Derrick Rose days. With his length, shooting touch, and fearlessness, he’s the embodiment of the modern NBA forward, signaling that the Bulls’ rebuild is accelerating toward contention.
The game itself was a offensive masterclass, with Chicago setting season highs in points (152), field goal percentage (57.6%), and assists (41). They drained 20-of-42 from deep (47.6%) and dominated the paint 66-50, while their bench exploded for 57 points compared to Atlanta’s 31. Nine Bulls players reached double figures, underscoring the depth that’s fueling this resurgence. Coby White added 21 points and five assists despite some late free-throw woes (four misses that kept the Hawks lurking), while Isaac Okoro, Kevin Huerter, and others chipped in double-digit efforts. Even Nikola Vucevic, often maligned for his defense, stepped up with timely stops in a close contest.
On the flip side, the Hawks weren’t pushovers. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta’s emerging alpha, poured in a game-high 36 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists before a brief injury scare. Trae Young, still shaking off an MCL sprain, dazzled with 35 points and nine assists, nearly stealing the show with a late three-pointer that set up the dramatic finish. Atlanta’s 23-of-47 from deep (48.9%) kept them in it, but Chicago’s clutch execution—going 10-8 in close games this season—proved decisive.
The first half was pure fireworks, with the Bulls exploding for 83 points on 60.9% shooting and 21 assists—a new season high for a half. A fast start (21-10 run) gave way to a tied first quarter (38-38), but Buzelis’s second-quarter surge created separation. The second half? Classic “Cardiac Bulls” drama. Atlanta rallied to within one entering the fourth, and foul trouble for Okoro (who fouled out late) added tension. Billy Donovan’s tactical tweaks—like double-big lineups and leaning on Tre Jones over Ayo Dosunmu in crunch time—paid off, as Chicago held on amid a flurry of threes and free throws.
This win isn’t an anomaly; it’s a trend. The Bulls have now had seven or more double-digit scorers and 34+ assists in three straight games. Their fastbreak attack (26 points, fourth in the NBA at 17.8 per game entering the matchup) overwhelmed Atlanta’s leaky transition defense.
Looking ahead, Chicago gets a rematch with the Hawks on Tuesday, followed by tilts against the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks post-Christmas. These “mid” Eastern Conference foes offer a chance to stack wins and climb the standings.
In a season that’s seen highs and lows, this game was a turning point. Giddey’s playmaking banished the ghosts of yesteryear, while Buzelis’s sharpshooting lit the path forward. The record books are indeed on fire, and the Bulls are fanning the flames. Chicago fans, buckle up—this new era is just getting started.