The Chicago Bulls didn’t win this one easily. They survived it.
In a high-octane showdown that had fans on their feet until the final horn, the Bulls held off a furious late push from the Charlotte Hornets to secure a dramatic 129–126 victory. What looked like a comfortable night quickly turned into a test of composure, execution, and nerve — and Chicago barely passed.
The headline belongs to Josh Giddey. On a night when every possession mattered, Giddey delivered a complete, commanding performance: 26 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds. He controlled the pace, punished defensive lapses, and repeatedly answered Charlotte’s momentum with timely scoring or a perfectly placed pass. This wasn’t just a stat line — it was a statement.
From the opening tip, the Bulls played with urgency. Their ball movement was crisp, their spacing deliberate, and their intent clear. Giddey orchestrated the offense like a seasoned veteran, reading the floor two steps ahead while forcing the Hornets to pick their poison. When they sagged, he scored. When they pressured, he distributed. Charlotte struggled to find answers early, and Chicago capitalized.
Zach Collins provided the interior balance the Bulls needed. With 16 points and 8 rebounds, Collins delivered physicality in the paint, finishing through contact and battling on the glass. His presence became critical as the Hornets ramped up the intensity, crashing the boards and attacking the rim in waves. Several of Collins’ buckets came at moments when Chicago desperately needed stability.
But the Hornets refused to go quietly.
Trailing by double digits in the second half, Charlotte flipped the script with relentless energy. Defensive stops turned into fast-break points. Open threes began to fall. Suddenly, a game that felt under control turned into a nail-biter. The Bulls’ lead evaporated possession by possession, and the building buzzed with tension.
The final minutes were pure chaos. Every whistle drew reaction. Every shot felt season-defining. Giddey remained the steady hand, slowing the game when it threatened to spiral, finding teammates, and knocking down clutch free throws. Chicago’s defense bent but didn’t break, forcing the Hornets into tough looks under immense pressure.
Still, Charlotte had chances.
Down three in the closing seconds, the Hornets pushed the ball with urgency, hunting the equalizer. The Bulls scrambled, switching, contesting, and communicating through the noise. The final possession was a blur of motion and desperation — and when the buzzer sounded, Chicago exhaled.
This win says more about resilience than dominance. The Bulls showed flashes of offensive brilliance, but more importantly, they proved they can withstand chaos. Games like this test identity. They expose weaknesses. They also build belief.
For Giddey, this performance further cements his growing influence within the Bulls’ system. He wasn’t just productive — he was authoritative. He dictated outcomes. Collins, meanwhile, continues to be a quietly reliable force, providing effort and toughness when the game tilts physical.
For the Hornets, the loss stings, but the fight matters. Their late surge revealed a team unwilling to fold, capable of turning games into battlegrounds. Moral victories don’t show up in the standings, but momentum often starts in moments like these.
The Bulls walked away with the win. The Hornets walked away knowing they were inches from stealing it.
And for everyone watching, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just another regular-season game.
It was a warning.
Chicago can survive pressure.
And the next team facing them has been put on notice.
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