CHICAGO — In an exciting NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 136-122. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points, while teammates Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White each contributed 20 points. Nikola Vucevic added a notable performance with 18 points and 13 rebounds, marking his 11th double-double of the season. Remarkably, all five starters and two bench players for Chicago reached double-digit scoring, as the team showcased an impressive shooting accuracy of 57% (49 of 86) from the field this season.
This victory marked the Bulls’ second win against the Hawks this season, boosting their NBA Cup record to 1-1 after a previous winless run of 0-4 in last year’s tournament. The Bulls’ offensive effort was evident as they increased their scoring production significantly compared to prior games.
On the opposing side, Trae Young shone for Atlanta with 25 points and 13 assists. Jalen Johnson not only scored 25 points but also added 13 rebounds, while Clint Capela contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks concluded their four-game road trip with a disappointing 1-3 record, although they remain competitive in the NBA Cup with a current tally of 2-1.
Key performances from the Hawks included a notable boost from Bogdan Bogdanovic, who came off the bench to score 16 points, featuring four 3-pointers that helped energize the team. Meanwhile, the Bulls faced the challenge of playing without forward Patrick Williams, who missed his second consecutive game due to inflammation in his left foot. Coach Billy Donovan stated that no timeline exists for Williams’ return, following his struggles with foot issues last season including surgery for a stress reaction.
A pivotal moment in the game came early in the fourth quarter when Jalen Smith emerged off the bench to hit three consecutive 3-pointers, extending the Bulls’ lead to 109-90, ultimately finishing with 13 points for the night.
In terms of statistics, Atlanta secured 14 offensive rebounds, significantly outpacing Chicago’s five. This dominance on the boards allowed the Hawks to create multiple second-chance opportunities, keeping the score competitive early on.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will return to Atlanta to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, while the Bulls will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.