In a thrilling showdown on December 23, 2025, the Chicago Bulls clinched a nail-biting victory against the Atlanta Hawks, ending the game with a score of 126-123. This match highlighted the incredible talents of Josh Giddey, who delivered an impressive performance with 19 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, marking his seventh triple-double of the season. Giddey's achievement places him second in the league for the most triple-doubles this year, trailing only Nikola Jokic from Denver, who leads with 14.
Coby White was also a standout for the Bulls, contributing significantly by scoring 24 points. His clutch free throw with just 1.9 seconds remaining ultimately tipped the scales in favor of Chicago. Remarkably, the Bulls had to battle back after facing significant deficits throughout the game; they found themselves down by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, 15 near the end of the third, and still trailing by 10 with under six minutes left on the clock.
Nikola Vucevic added to the Bulls' success with a solid performance of 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping the team maintain its undefeated record against the Hawks this season, now sitting at 3-0.
On the other side of the court, Jalen Johnson shone for Atlanta, registering 24 points, 10 assists, and nearly snagging a double-double with nine rebounds. Despite his efforts, the Hawks faced their fourth consecutive loss. Trae Young also contributed to Atlanta's effort with a commendable 22 points alongside 15 assists.
It's worth noting that the Hawks were without Dyson Daniels, who missed the game due to right hip inflammation—his absence marked the first time this season he did not play.
In a dramatic closing sequence, Nickeil Alexander-Walker tied the game for Atlanta with a driving layup, bringing the score to 123-all with mere moments left. Following a Bulls timeout, Coby White was fouled before the inbound pass, which allowed him to convert a crucial free throw. The Hawks then fouled Vucevic on the next play, leading to two more successful free throws from him, pushing Chicago ahead once again with just 1.5 seconds on the clock. A last-ditch three-pointer from Alexander-Walker fell short, sealing the Bulls' victory.
Despite trailing 117-107 at one point, the Bulls executed a stunning 19-6 run to close out the game triumphantly. Additional contributions came from Matas Buzelis with 15 points and Zach Collins, who added 10 points, including a spectacular dunk in the fourth quarter that energized the team.
Tensions flared briefly during the game when Young and Chicago's Ayo Dosummu exchanged shoves, both receiving technical fouls for their antics.
Looking ahead, the Bulls are set to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, kicking off a challenging stretch with six consecutive home games, while the Hawks will prepare to face the Miami Heat in their upcoming matchup.
