CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 116-111 at the United Center, showcasing their resilience even without key players. The victory marked a significant boost for the Bulls, who managed to outscore the Bucks convincingly during the final minutes of the game.
Despite the Bucks expecting the return of star guard Damian Lillard, who finished with 29 points and 12 assists, they struggled to maintain their lead late in the game. Lillard initiated the fourth quarter with 11 consecutive points, pushing Milwaukee to a 99-95 advantage, yet he could not sustain this momentum. The Bucks found themselves on the defensive as the Bulls stormed back.
Chicago rallied, scoring 33 points in the decisive fourth quarter. They held the Bucks to just five points over the last 3 minutes and 40 seconds of the game, highlighted by Coby White's pivotal pull-up jumper, which gave the Bulls the lead for good at 110-108. The Bulls' leading scorers included Nikola Vučević, who contributed 23 points and 13 rebounds, and White, who added 22 points. Jevon Carter and Zach LaVine also left their mark, demonstrating depth and teamwork.
Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan emphasized the importance of the win. “We needed this one; it helps our confidence as we head toward the New Year,” he remarked. The Bulls had previously lost to the Bucks decisively just days earlier, so this victory served as sweet vindication for the struggling Chicago squad.
For the Bucks, the absence of NBA scoring leader Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined due to illness, loomed large. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed, “Giannis traveled with us but wasn’t feeling well enough to play. We needed him today.” Milwaukee, maintaining a decent record without their MVP candidate, found it challenging to cope without his physical presence on the court.
Khris Middleton, who avoided injury issues from earlier games, contributed 21 points, though much of his offense came early. The Bucks' offense, known for its three-point shooting, could not outpace the Bulls, who matched them shot for shot. Milwaukee averaged 14.5 three-pointers per game but seemed off balance against Chicago’s defensive strategy and energy.
The first half of the match indicated the Bulls might falter, as the Bucks were able to lead for stretches. They capitalized on early shooting and efficient ball movement, recording resilience against Chicago’s defensive efforts. By halftime, Chicago led slightly at 62-60, thanks to solid contributions from their bench.
Despite the loss, Lillard’s return provided hope for the Bucks moving forward. After missing previous games with respiratory illness related concerns, he demonstrated his undeniable impact on the game length. Even as he stumbled early on, his performance was instrumental, culminating in pivotal late-game sequences.
“I felt good out there, especially glad to help my team compete,” Lillard noted postgame. “We came here to win, and these games are tough; we need to learn how to close out when we’re leading.”
The contest was filled with tension and momentum swings, with both teams trading leads throughout each quarter. Most recently, Milwaukee had bested Chicago only five days prior with another significant scoreline of 112-91. This latest matchup demonstrated how unpredictable the league can be and how quickly narratives can shift.
Looking at the overall series, the Bucks have secured the upper hand over the Bulls historically, winning seven out of the last ten encounters. The Bulls’ performance will need to maintain this energy as they pivot back to their remaining schedule, now sitting at 14-18, inching closer to .500. For Milwaukee, the loss drops them to 16-14, raising questions about their ability to perform without their franchise player.
Both teams will need to reassess and improve as they head toward the toughest parts of the season. The Bucks are well aware they need to adapt quickly if they wish to rebound from this match-up, especially as they may face evenly matched teams down the line. With the playoff picture tightening up, every game holds weight.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Lillard 29 points, Middleton 21, Lopez 22. CHICAGO BULLS: Vučević 23 points, Giddey triple-double 23 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists.
