Coby White orchestrated an impressive second-half performance, scoring 31 of his 35 points to lead the Chicago Bulls past the Sacramento Kings 128-116 on Thursday night, March 20, 2025. This match saw White turn the tide after the Bulls faced a daunting 19-point deficit.
Kevin Huerter also had a standout performance, contributing 25 points, complemented by five rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Nikola Vucevic excelled by hitting 4 of 5 three-point attempts, finishing the game with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. These key contributions were crucial as the Bulls overturned what seemed like a sure defeat, taking control to outscore the Kings by 21 points in the final two quarters.
For the Kings, Malik Monk emerged as their leading scorer with a season-high 34 points, shooting five three-pointers. Trey Lyles also made his mark with 22 points and six rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan added 22 points. In a notable achievement, DeRozan became only the sixth active player and 27th in NBA history to score 25,000 career points, hitting a signature mid-range jumper with 1:56 left in the third quarter.
The evening's developments were particularly sweet for the Bulls, who capitalized on the absence of Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis, sidelined with a sprained right ankle. In the first half, Vucevic was the Bulls' leading scorer with 11 points as they went into halftime trailing 64-55.
An 11-0 run in the third quarter marked a turning point, allowing the Bulls to transform a five-point deficit into a six-point lead. Huerter's driving layup with 8:15 remaining in the final quarter sealed the Bulls' momentum and gave them the lead for good.
The Bulls showcased their shooting prowess, finishing the game with 42.9% from beyond the arc, making 15 of 35 attempts. They achieved a commendable shooting percentage of 52.3% from the floor overall, contrasting sharply with the Kings' defense.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks cruised to an easy 118-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on the same night, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with 28 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. contributed 23 points, including a stellar performance from the three-point line, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points and a team-high five assists.
Despite being without their stars—LeBron James and Luka Doncic, both sidelined due to injuries—the Lakers relied on rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, who each scored 17 points, marking a new career high for James Jr. Bronny displayed efficiency with 7 of 10 shooting and contributed five assists.
In another thrilling game, the Golden State Warriors edged out the Toronto Raptors 117-114. Draymond Green led the Warriors with 21 points and helped maintain their winning streak, even as they played without star Stephen Curry, who exited the game with a pelvic contusion. Jimmy Butler III recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and a season-high 12 assists.
Golden State rookie Quinten Post shone brightly, scoring 18 points with a career-high six three-pointers off the bench. The Raptors' Scottie Barnes was the standout for his team, finishing the match with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.
Additionally, the Indiana Pacers achieved a notable victory against the Brooklyn Nets, winning 105-99. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 28 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Joining him was Myles Turner, who returned from a hip injury to score 23 points and grab 10 rebounds.
The Nets' efforts were led by D'Angelo Russell and Ziaire Williams, both scoring 22 points, although they could not overcome the Pacers' tenacity. Trendon Watford had a brief but notable ejection after starting an altercation with Turner in the fourth quarter.
In the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets bounced back against the New York Knicks, securing a 115-98 victory. LaMelo Ball made a significant return from injury, scoring 25 points and contributing eight assists. Mark Williams helped with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while the Hornets executed a consistent team effort against a struggling Knicks side.
Despite solid performances from OG Anunoby with 25 points and Karl-Anthony Towns with 24 points and 10 rebounds, New York's challenge was hampered by their poor shooting from deep, achieving only 10 for 39 from three-point range and marking their sixth loss in nine games.
The Bulls, after their thrilling comeback, are set to face the Lakers next, while the Kings will host the Bucks in their subsequent matchups this weekend, both teams eager to bounce back after this thrilling night of basketball.
