Déjà Vu in Atlanta: Bulls Edge Hawks in 126-123 Thriller
The script felt all too familiar for fans at State Farm Arena last night. For the second time in just three days, the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks engaged in a high-octane battle that came down to the final buzzer. And for the second time, the Bulls walked away with a victory, securing a narrow 126–123 win on December 23, 2025.
The loss marks the fourth straight defeat for the Hawks, while the Bulls have now surged to a four-game winning streak, sweeping the season series 3–0 so far.
The Giddey Masterclass Continues
At the center of the Bulls’ dominance was Josh Giddey, who continues to rewrite the franchise record books. Giddey recorded his seventh triple-double of the season, finishing with 19 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds.
His ability to orchestrate the offense was the difference-maker, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Bulls erased a 10-point deficit. Giddey’s vision allowed Chicago to outscore Atlanta 34–18 in the final frame, proving that his “All-Star Statement” earlier this month was no fluke.
The Final 1.9 Seconds: A Tactical Breakdown
The game reached a fever pitch in the closing moments. After Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker tied the game at 123–123 with a driving layup with only 1.9 seconds left, the arena seemed destined for overtime. However, the game was decided by discipline:
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The Foul: On the ensuing inbounds play, Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher committed a costly foul on Coby White before the ball was inbounded.
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The Penalty: Under NBA rules, this resulted in one free throw and possession for Chicago. White calmly sank the free throw to put the Bulls up by one.
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The Clincher: Forced to foul again, Atlanta sent Nikola Vucevic to the line, where he buried two more free throws to ice the game.
Hawks’ Heroics Fall Short
Despite the loss, the Hawks saw stellar performances from their core. Jalen Johnson nearly matched Giddey’s brilliance, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Trae Young added 22 points and 15 assists, but the team clearly missed the defensive presence of Dyson Daniels, who was out with hip inflammation.
“It’s frustrating to lose the same way twice,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “We had the lead, we had the momentum, but we didn’t execute in the final six minutes. That’s on us.”
Mid-Season Standings Check
| Team | Record | Streak | Next Opponent |
| Chicago Bulls | 14–15 | W4 | vs. Philadelphia (Fri) |
| Atlanta Hawks | 15–16 | L4 | vs. Miami (Fri) |
Would you like me to analyze the Hawks’ defensive rotations without Dyson Daniels to see where the breakdowns occurred during the Bulls’ 19-6 closing run?
Josh Giddey’s historic triple-double highlights
This video provides the full game highlights and key plays from the Bulls’ thrilling comeback victory over the Hawks.
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