Zach LaVine powered the Chicago Bulls with 26 points as they rolled past the Atlanta Hawks 136-122 on Friday night in an NBA Cup showdown.
Balanced scoring and a sizzling shooting performance helped Chicago secure its first victory in this season’s tournament, improving to 1-1 in NBA Cup play.
The Bulls showcased an offensive clinic, shooting a season-best 57% from the field (49 of 86), with seven players scoring in double figures. LaVine led the charge, while Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White each added 20 points. Nikola Vucevic continued his consistent play with 18 points and 13 rebounds, marking his 11th double-double of the season.
Josh Giddey contributed 18 points, and Chicago’s deep bench provided an extra spark as the Bulls defeated Atlanta for the second time this season. The win also marked a milestone for the Bulls, who ended an in-season tournament drought after going 0-4 in last year’s campaign.
On the other side, the Hawks saw strong performances from Trae Young, who tallied 25 points and 13 assists, and Jalen Johnson, who matched Young’s scoring total while pulling down 13 rebounds. Clint Capela added 21 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to counter Chicago’s relentless offensive attack.
Despite the loss, Atlanta showed flashes of resilience, particularly through Bogdan Bogdanovic, who came off the bench to score 16 points, including four 3-pointers. However, the Hawks struggled to keep pace in key moments, especially as Chicago’s shooters heated up in the second half.
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One of the game’s turning points came early in the fourth quarter when Jalen Smith stepped up off the Bulls’ bench. Smith drained three consecutive 3-pointers, extending Chicago’s lead to 109-90 and effectively putting the game out of reach. Smith finished with 13 points in a critical bench role.
Atlanta’s strong presence on the glass, including 14 offensive rebounds compared to Chicago’s five, helped generate second-chance opportunities that kept them competitive early. However, the Hawks couldn’t capitalize on those chances as the Bulls consistently found ways to answer.
The Bulls’ win came despite missing Patrick Williams, who sat out his second straight game due to inflammation in his left foot. Ayo Dosunmu started in his place and delivered one of his best performances of the season. Bulls coach Billy Donovan said there’s no timeline for Williams’ return, though his absence continues to be felt in the rotation.
For Atlanta, the loss capped a disappointing 1-3 record on their four-game road trip. The Hawks are still in a good position in NBA Cup play, sitting at 2-1, but the team will need to find more consistency heading into the next phase of the season.
Chicago’s offensive execution and defensive adjustments were evident throughout the game, and their ability to capitalize on turnovers proved decisive. With LaVine leading the way and role players stepping up, the Bulls look to build momentum as they head into a Saturday night clash against Memphis at home.
Atlanta will return to its home floor on Monday to face Dallas, where the Hawks will aim to regroup and find their rhythm after a tough stretch on the road. The loss to Chicago highlights areas for improvement, but their early NBA Cup record keeps their tournament hopes alive.
This game not only boosts Chicago’s confidence but also sets a tone for their season, as they proved they can deliver when the stakes are high. For Atlanta, it’s back to the drawing board as they try to rediscover their winning form.