In an exciting matchup on Saturday night, Josh Giddey showcased his skills by scoring 23 points, along with 15 rebounds and 10 assists, achieving his second triple-double of the season, and guiding the Chicago Bulls to a 116-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giddey, returning after a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, made crucial contributions in the closing moments, sinking two free throws with just 10 seconds on the clock to extend Chicago’s lead to 115-111. He later secured a rebound that helped secure the win, effectively putting an end to the Bulls’ three-game losing streak.
Nikola Vucevic also impressed with his performance, contributing 23 points and pulling down 13 rebounds for the Bulls. Coby White chipped in valuable scoring as well, netting 22 points and hitting a pivotal tiebreaking jumper with only 32 seconds left in the game.
On the other side, Damian Lillard made a notable return to the Bucks’ lineup, finishing the game with 29 points and 12 assists, although the team faced their second consecutive loss. Lillard was instrumental in the second half, scoring 18 points, while the Bucks continued to play without their leading scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined for the last four games due to illness.
Brook Lopez added to the Bucks’ efforts with 22 points, and Khris Middleton, despite restrictions on his minutes after undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason, contributed 21 points, with 17 of those coming in the first half.
At halftime, the Bulls held a narrow lead of 62-60, having previously established two 13-point advantages in the first half.
The game highlighted a pivotal moment when the Bulls opened the third quarter with a seven-point lead, only to see the Bucks fight back and take their first lead of the game at 75-72 thanks to Bobby Portis’s three-pointer midway through the quarter. Milwaukee ended the third quarter leading 84-83, but Chicago responded with a crucial 10-0 run that set the stage for a tense finish.
One key stat from the game reflected Chicago’s dominance inside the paint, where they outscored Milwaukee 56-42.
Looking ahead, the Bucks are set to face off against Indiana on New Year’s Eve, while the Bulls will head to Charlotte for their next game on Monday.