CHICAGO – From near catastrophe to jubilation, Saturday night’s soiree at the United Center felt like one the Bulls had no business being in for the first 36 minutes. In reality, against the one-win Washington Wizards, it was a game the Bulls had no business losing.
The Wizards led by as much as 16 in the second quarter, but the Bulls cut the deficit to six at the end of the half and again at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, things changed for the Bulls, and their sloppy back-and-forth against the league’s worst team began to tilt in their favor. With 2:55 left in regulation, the Bulls had built a five-point lead. It was short-lived. Two Josh Giddey misses later, the margin turned into a deficit with the Wizards on top with 1:42 remaining.
Finally, down one with 34.5 seconds left, Justin Champagnie fouled Tre Jones, who drained both of his free throws, ultimately lifting the Bulls to a 121-120 victory.
The Wizards had their chances to respond, but Kyshawn George’s go-ahead shot with 29 seconds left missed, and with 1.3 seconds left, George rolled the ball out of bounds while facing a double team.
Not the cleanest game, not the most inspiring win, but a win is a win, and the Bulls have nine of ’em in 16 tries.
Nikola Vucevic was the best player on the court for either team and the box score reflected it. Vucevic led all scorers with 28 points. Josh Giddey added his fourth triple-double of the season (and the month) with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
Bulls first-round pick Noa Essengue made his debut, seeing four minutes of action in the second quarter. He was a -9 and did not score.
Up Next: The Bulls embark on a four-game road trip beginning Monday in New Orleans against the Pelicans. The trip takes the Bulls through the holiday week before they return to the United Center on December 3rd.
Tune into the CHGO Bulls postgame live:
The Bulls inducted Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, Neil Funk, Johnny Bach, Norm Van Lier and John Paxson into the Ring of Honor. It was the second bi-annual Ring of Honor, but this year with a shortened halftime ceremony as well as video vignettes of each individual’s accomplishments on the jumbotron throughout the game.
“I think it’s awesome,” Billy Donovan said. “I think obviously the class and all the people that have contributed to the organization, their success here, it’s remarkable. It’s great to see all those guys get rewarded and acknowledged, and recognized for their own individual accomplishments and the team accomplishments that they’ve been a part of.”
Paxson in particular is such an interesting case. Joining the Bulls in 1985, Pax has been with the organization 40 years, and served as a player, broadcaster, assistant coach and front office executive. Few figures in league history have such longevity across so many different areas of focus.
Despite hitting a game-winning shot in the NBA Finals, Paxson eventually became a scapegoat for the team’s problems as he tried to navigate a rebuild in a league that had passed him by. By 2020, after 17 years at the helm, it was high time to move into a new direction. Because of how toxic things got towards the end of his tenure as lead executive, it was nice to see him get a hearty round of applause as the entirety of his Bulls career was honored.
– Will Gottlieb
We all know the Bulls’ defense is bad. But surrendering 41 first-quarter points to the Washington Wizards and their – checks notes… – 28th-ranked NBA offense? Yowza. Bad, bad stuff.
…Hey, the Bulls defense clamped down! Only 70 points allowed at half! LMAO. And people want me to take this team seriously.
What a lovely halftime Ring of Honor ceremony. Norm Van Lier and Johnny Bach must be rolling in their graves while the present-day Bulls celebrate and sell this endless hamster wheel of mediocrity.
That’s all I have to say tonight. Do better, Bulls.
– Matt Peck
The Zards?!? You never know in the NBA. Any given night and all that but COME ON!!!!! I’ll take the W, though.
Washington was on one. Damn near 80 points in the 1st half. They couldn’t miss. Kispert turned into Curry against the Bulls.
Saw a Matas midrange floater. Scored and got an and-1. More midrange from this dude.
Nikola Vucevic had a game. You saw once again why Billy Donovan trusts him in the 4th.
Coby White being back feels like a real fine Merlot and a cashmere throw.
The interior defense of the Bulls is putrid. I’m not breaking news, but man, it’s bad. The Zards got to the cup at will. Any player, any position.
The 3pt shooting was not great either. Lots to fix.
I’m starting to understand the importance of the Ring of Honor. Not just because it’s cool to see legends but it gives them a night to be honored in a way that they may not receive other ways. Some of them won’t go to the Hall Of Fame or have their jersey retired. This way, it gives them a way to be properly honored and respected for all they did for this franchise.
Gives the players and coaches and announcers to be treated like royalty and allow their families to see all the impact they made. I’m with it and I say thank you to all the honorees for your time, blood, sweat and Love you left on the court for fans like me to cheer on and remember forever. Peace and Love to you.
– Big Dave
