Josh Giddey delivered a performance that Stacey King called “phenomenal,” leading the Chicago Bulls to a 129-126 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. The win snapped a seven-game skid for the Bulls, a stretch that had frustrated fans and intensified speculation around the team’s roster decisions. While coach Billy Donovan experimented with multiple line-ups throughout the game, Giddey remained the constant, finishing with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, cementing his role as the team’s emerging star.
The Bulls started strong, taking a 33-29 lead in the first quarter, shooting 59 percent from the field and draining four three-pointers. Giddey contributed five points and three assists in the opening period, while Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, fresh off his Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award, scored Charlotte’s first seven points. Adding to the intrigue, Josh Green returned from shoulder surgery, immediately injecting energy on both ends of the court and assuming a larger offensive role in the absence of LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann.
Charlotte fought back, led by Miles Bridges’ 16 points in the second quarter, taking a 61-55 halftime lead. Giddey ended the quarter on a high note, making a triple and finishing aggressively in the paint to close the gap. The Bulls, still searching for solutions to arrest their slump, experimented with double-big lineups, yet their halfcourt offense struggled while turnovers allowed Charlotte to capitalize. By the end of the third, a 14-4 run gave Chicago a one-possession deficit, setting the stage for a tense fourth quarter.
In the final period, bench players Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, and Patrick Williams made crucial contributions, keeping the Bulls within striking distance. Donovan made the bold decision to bench Nikola Vučević late in favor of Collins, a move that paid off as Collins scored two critical buckets and grabbed four rebounds. Giddey then took over in the closing minutes, aggressively hunting his shots and reclaiming control despite a late defensive lapse that allowed Bridges a three-point play. The Bulls held on for a much-needed win, but trade rumors continue to swirl around the team.
Coby White, in particular, remains a focal point ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Reports from The Athletic and the Chicago Sun-Times suggest legitimate interest from the Timberwolves, though no deal has materialized. NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed the Bulls are fielding trade interest in White, making him a player to watch as February approaches.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Steph Curry returned from injury to score 39 points in a 127-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the defeat, Curry surpassed Michael Jordan for the most 35-plus point games after age 30 in NBA history, recording his 94th such game, one more than MJ’s 93. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points, with Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo adding 24 and 21 points respectively.
Joel Embiid also made headlines, posting a season-high 39 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 115-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. With Tyrese Maxey sidelined due to illness, Embiid took charge, demonstrating signs of returning to MVP-level dominance despite a slow start to the season. Rookie VJ Edgecombe supported the effort with 22 points, while Paul George added 23, helping the Sixers regain momentum.
Elsewhere, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 48 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Washington Wizards 130-126. Australian rookie Tyrese Proctor remained inactive for Cleveland, while Dyson Daniels posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in Atlanta’s 142-115 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Turnovers and a poor third quarter doomed the Hawks, while Detroit’s balanced scoring and bench depth sealed the dominant victory.
From Giddey’s breakout game to Curry surpassing Jordan and Embiid showing flashes of dominance, Saturday’s NBA slate highlighted the blend of emerging stars and established legends shaping this season. Meanwhile, Chicago’s trade rumors and experimentation with lineups signal a franchise in flux, making the next few weeks critical for the Bulls’ hopes of regaining relevance in a fiercely competitive Eastern Conference.
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