Frigid temperatures outside the United Center set the scene for a red-hot NBA showdown as the Chicago Bulls hosted the Utah Jazz on January 14, 2026. The matchup came loaded with storylines—revenge, high-powered offense, and the lingering memory of their last jaw-dropping encounter, a 150-147 double-overtime Jazz victory that left fans breathless and both teams eager for a statement win.
That November classic saw Coby White return from injury to tie the game in overtime, only for Utah rookie Keyonte George to bury a dramatic game-winning three-pointer in the second extra frame. Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz’s Finnish star and former Bull, torched his old squad with a career-high 47 points, reminding Chicago of the one that got away. But as tipoff approached for the latest chapter in this budding rivalry, the Bulls received welcome news: Markkanen, initially listed as questionable, was officially ruled out with an illness after being downgraded multiple times throughout the day. His absence loomed large, given his history of punishing Chicago’s defense—he’d averaged 26 points and 5.5 rebounds in eight career games against his former team, topping 28 points in five of those contests.
The Bulls, meanwhile, were trying to snap a four-loss-in-five-games skid and keep their grip on the Eastern Conference’s 10th seed. Their recent 119-113 defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets was a wild ride in itself, featuring 35 lead changes and a career-high 34 points from fill-in starter Tre Jones. Injuries had left Chicago shorthanded in Houston, with both Josh Giddey and Coby White sidelined. But for the Utah rematch, White was cleared to return, providing a much-needed scoring boost. White had been rested for injury management on January 13, but was coming off a sharp 22-point outing against Dallas just days earlier. "He’s our spark plug," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said before the game, emphasizing White’s importance to the team’s offensive rhythm.
Still, the Bulls’ injury report was far from clear. Josh Giddey, who’d notched a triple-double in the previous Jazz meeting (26 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists), remained sidelined with a left hamstring strain. There’s optimism around his return—he’s back to non-contact work—but the team is taking no chances. Zach Collins, dealing with a more-serious-than-expected toe sprain, also missed the contest, as did reserve forward Julian Phillips, out with a wrist sprain for the second straight game. Noa Essengue, recovering from shoulder surgery, was out for the season.
Utah faced their own roster woes. Markkanen’s absence was the headline, but the Jazz were also without veteran Kevin Love (rest), Walker Kessler (shoulder), and Georges Niang (foot). The projected starting five for Utah featured Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, and Kyle Filipowski—a young, energetic group eager to prove themselves on the road.
Despite their depleted lineup, the Jazz entered Chicago with momentum, fresh off a stunning 123-112 upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers. George had starred in that one, pouring in 32 points and dishing out nine assists, while Markkanen contributed 28 points and 12 rebounds before illness struck. "We’re starting to find our groove, even with the lineup changes," George told reporters after the Cleveland win. The Jazz, now 14-25, were eyeing a second consecutive road upset and hoping their high-octane offense could once again overwhelm the Bulls.
Chicago, 18-21 coming into the night, was favored by five points according to oddsmakers, with the over/under set at a lofty 241.5—no surprise, given the fireworks in the teams’ last meeting and both squads’ penchant for offense. The Bulls were -205 favorites on the moneyline, while Utah sat at +170 to pull off the upset. The game was broadcast live on CHSN, Jazz+, and KJZZ, with streaming available on Fubo, ensuring fans wouldn’t miss a minute of the action. For those braving the Chicago cold, tickets were still available on StubHub.
Statistically, the matchup promised plenty of scoring. The Bulls averaged 117.2 points per game—nearly 10 fewer than the Jazz allowed (126.9). Utah’s own offense wasn’t far behind, putting up 119.1 points per contest, just a tick below the 120.8 Chicago surrendered on average. Defense, clearly, would be at a premium. As Bulls beat writer Elias Schuster put it, "If the Bulls want to avoid starting another losing streak, tightening the screws on defense would be a good start." He highlighted Utah’s NBA-leading assist percentage and off-ball movement, but also noted their tendency toward turnovers—a potential opening for Chicago’s pressure defense.
The projected Bulls starting lineup featured Tre Jones, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, and Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic and Buzelis had been steady contributors, combining for 39 points in the previous Jazz matchup. Vucevic, in particular, had scored at least 15 points in eight of his last nine games, while Buzelis had reached the same mark in seven straight. The Jazz countered with George, Collier, Bailey, Williams, and Filipowski—youthful but dangerous, especially with George’s recent scoring surge (30-plus points in three of his last 10 games).
Betting analysts were bullish on Markkanen before his late scratch, projecting him to clear 26.5 points easily. With him out, the Jazz would need George and their young core to step up. For Chicago, the key was to get White going early and rely on Vucevic’s inside-out game to exploit Utah’s weakened frontcourt. The Bulls’ defense, ranked last in points allowed to power forwards, would be tested even without Markkanen’s presence.
As the game tipped off, the Bulls looked to avenge that heartbreaking November loss and reassert themselves in the playoff chase. The Jazz, undaunted by injuries and the hostile Chicago crowd, aimed to prove their resilience and keep their offense humming. With both teams missing key pieces but boasting plenty of firepower, fans were treated to another unpredictable, high-scoring battle—one that could have major implications for both franchises as the season grinds on.
With the action still unfolding at the United Center, one thing was certain: the Bulls and Jazz know how to put on a show, and tonight’s clash was shaping up to be another must-watch chapter in their growing rivalry.
