The Chicago Bulls finally found their spark, snapping an 11-game losing streak and ending a winless February with a stunning 120-97 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on March 1, 2026. In front of a restless home crowd desperate for something to cheer about, the Bulls delivered a second-half performance that left the Bucks reeling and, for the first time in weeks, gave Chicago fans a reason to believe in their team’s resilience.
Heading into this Sunday matinee, the outlook was grim for both squads. The Bucks, missing their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a right calf strain, were clinging to fading play-in hopes, while the Bulls, who had just traded away Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu, seemed destined for another forgettable afternoon. Milwaukee was a modest favorite across most sportsbooks, with lines ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 points, and the over/under hovering around 230 points. But as tip-off approached, the focus shifted from odds to opportunity—could either of these struggling teams seize the moment?
For a half, it looked like the Bucks would cruise. Milwaukee’s offense hummed, shooting 52% from the field and 43% from deep before halftime. They capitalized on two huge runs—a 17-0 burst and an 11-2 spurt in the second quarter—to build a commanding 66-51 lead at the break. The Bulls were able to hang around thanks to their ability to force turnovers, but it seemed like another long afternoon was in store for the home team.
But then, everything changed. The Bulls emerged from the locker room with a new sense of urgency, and the United Center came alive. Chicago’s defense tightened, forcing the Bucks into mistake after mistake. Milwaukee coughed up the ball six times in the third quarter alone, and their shooting touch deserted them. After going 2-for-10 from three in the third, the Bucks would go ice-cold in the fourth, missing their first 14 shots of the period.
Meanwhile, the Bulls unleashed a 21-7 run in the third quarter—a stretch that featured five Milwaukee turnovers, four personal fouls, and a technical foul on Kevin Porter Jr. for arguing a non-call. The Bulls’ bench, led by Collin Sexton, poured in points at a furious pace. Sexton scored 10 of his 22 points in the third, sparking the comeback that would soon become a rout.
The fourth quarter was nothing short of a demolition. Chicago opened on a 21-0 run, part of a larger 27-0 surge that spanned the final moments of the third and the opening minutes of the fourth. The Bucks, stunned and searching for answers, didn’t record a field goal until Ousmane Dieng slammed home a dunk with just over three minutes remaining. By then, the outcome was academic—the Bulls had flipped a 15-point deficit into a 23-point victory, outscoring Milwaukee by 38 in the second half.
“We just kept believing,” said Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who returned from injury to post a dazzling triple-double: 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. “We knew we had to come out with energy, and once we got rolling, the crowd carried us.”
Giddey wasn’t alone in his heroics. Rookie sensation Matas Buzelis continued his hot streak, pouring in 20 points and providing a steady hand on both ends of the floor. Collin Sexton’s 22 points off the bench were a game-changer, while Tre Jones and Isaac Okoro chipped in with timely buckets and defensive stops. The Bulls finished with five players in double figures, a testament to the balanced attack that overwhelmed Milwaukee after halftime.
For the Bucks, the loss was a gut punch. Bobby Portis Jr. led the way with 18 points off the bench, while Cam Thomas added 15 and AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, and Kyle Kuzma all reached double digits. But Milwaukee’s offense sputtered when it mattered most, undone by 18 turnovers and a disastrous 3-for-23 shooting performance from beyond the arc in the second half. The absence of Antetokounmpo was glaring, as the Bucks struggled to find a go-to scorer or a leader to steady the ship when the game began to slip away.
“We didn’t execute, plain and simple,” said Bucks head coach Doc Rivers after the game. “Turnovers killed us, and we let their energy get the best of us. Afternoon games are always tricky, but that’s no excuse—we have to be better.” Rivers has been candid about his team’s struggles in matinee matchups, noting, “I didn’t like afternoon games as a player. I couldn’t stand ‘em. Because it took your norm away. It’s so funny, I always felt like either you start the game well or not, and when you don’t, damn near game’s over before you feel like (warmed up). It’s too late.”
The loss prevented the Bucks from sweeping the season series against the Bulls and dealt a blow to their already slim play-in hopes. Milwaukee entered the game with just a 6.1% chance of securing a top-six seed and a 28.3% shot at the play-in, according to ESPN analytics. With six weeks left in the regular season, every game counts, and dropping one to a struggling Bulls squad—especially after leading by double digits—could haunt them down the stretch.
Chicago, on the other hand, finally saw the fruits of their midseason shakeup. The trades that sent Vucevic, White, and Dosunmu packing were a clear sign that the franchise was ready to embrace a new direction, and Saturday’s win provided a glimpse of what the future might hold. The Bulls’ young core—Giddey, Buzelis, Sexton, Jones, and Okoro—showed chemistry and poise, making the most of their opportunity against a vulnerable opponent.
Statistically, the Bulls’ victory was a group effort. They shot 46.9% from the field, just above their season average, and out-rebounded the Bucks 44-41. Their defense, often maligned for allowing 120.5 points per game (fourth-worst in the league), clamped down in the second half, holding Milwaukee to just 31 points after the break. The Bulls also capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes, turning 18 turnovers into 24 points.
For Milwaukee, the schedule offers no respite. With another matinee looming against the Boston Celtics—a team fighting for the No. 2 seed in the East—the Bucks must regroup quickly. The absence of Giannis remains a major storyline, as the team is now 11-17 without their superstar this season. Rivers and his staff will need to find answers fast if Milwaukee hopes to keep its postseason dreams alive.
As for Chicago, the win finally snapped a string of heartbreak and frustration. The United Center faithful left with smiles for the first time in weeks, buoyed by the promise of a new era. Whether this victory marks a true turning point or simply a brief reprieve remains to be seen, but for one afternoon, the Bulls reminded everyone that anything can happen in the NBA—especially when you refuse to quit.