The Chicago Bulls barely beat the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 on Sunday, delivering the highest-scoring game of the NBA season and keeping their winning streak alive.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 28 points, while nine Chicago players reached double figures. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Bulls holding an 83-73 halftime lead and topping their season high for first-half points. In the final seconds, Jalen Johnson’s three-pointer with five seconds left gave the Hawks a 151-150 advantage, but Buzelis calmly sank one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining. Trae Young missed a last-second jumper, sealing the Bulls’ victory.
Record-Setting Numbers
Chicago’s 152 points were the most the team had scored in a game this season, and the 83-point first half set a new season record for the Bulls. The team had previously posted a 72-point first half in a 128-122 loss at Cleveland on November 8. The Bulls also topped their season high for a single game after a 150-147 loss at Utah on November 16.
The game itself was the highest-scoring contest in the league this year, surpassing the Bulls’ own 150-147 double-overtime loss at Utah on November 16. The record for the most points in a regulation game in NBA history remains 162-158, set by Golden State when they beat Denver on November 2, 1990.
Key Performances
- Matas Buzelis – 28 points, career-high seven 3-pointers from eight attempts.
- Jalen Johnson – 36 points for Atlanta, leading the Hawks.
- Trae Young – 35 points, a season high for the Hawks.
- Onyeka Okongwu – 23 points for Atlanta.
- Vit Krejci – 20 points for Atlanta.
- Coby White – 21 points for Chicago, playing after a questionable ankle.
- Josh Giddey – 19 points and 12 assists for Chicago.
Buzelis’ shooting was a bright spot for the Bulls, as he made seven triples in a game that saw the team win three straight to improve to 13-15.
Team Context
The Hawks have lost three straight games and seven of their last nine, dropping their record to 15-15 and falling to .500. Coach Quin Snyder noted that Trae Young will need a continued “acclimation process” to be ready for back-to-back games after missing 21 games with a right MCL sprain.
Chicago’s guard Coby White returned from a sore left ankle, contributing 21 points. Josh Giddey added a double-digit assist tally, helping the Bulls maintain their offensive momentum.
Injury and Roster Updates
- Kristaps Porzingis (Hawks) missed his sixth straight game due to illness.
- The Hawks announced that two-way forward Eli Ndiaye will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn labrum suffered in a G League game with College Park on December 9.
Next Meeting
The Bulls and Hawks will face each other again on Tuesday night, giving fans another opportunity to see high-scoring action from both teams.
Key Takeaways
- Bulls win 152-150, setting season highs for points in a game and in the first half.
- Matas Buzelis leads with 28 points and a career-high seven triples.
- Hawks’ Trae Young records a season high with 35 points.
- The game is the highest-scoring contest of the NBA season.
The Bulls’ narrow victory keeps them on a three-game winning streak, while the Hawks look to rebound after a series of close losses.
