Bulls 128, Hawks 123: Bulls start 3-0

After getting off to a 2-0 start to the season with compelling wins against two of the more hyped Eastern Conference opponents, Detroit and Orlando, the Chicago Bulls collected another impressive win against the Atlanta Hawks, 128, 123.

The Bulls are now 3-0, their best start to the season since 2021-22.

Tre Jones continues his consistent play, providing a steady hand for Billy Donovan in the starting lineup. He registered 14 points, seven rebounds, nine assists on 5-of-10 shooting.

Nikola Vucevic was an assist shy of a triple-double with 17 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Kevin Huerter (15 points), Patrick Williams (12 points) and Ayo Dosunmu (21 points), who led all Bulls’ scorers, were effective off the bench as the Bulls’ reserves outscored Atlanta’s 53-46.

Matas Buzelis (16 points) bounced back from a rough game in Orlando, and Josh Giddey filled the box score with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, including a huge three, offensive rebound off his own miss in the closing moments.

Tune into the CHGO Bulls postgame live show: 

Up next: On Wednesday, the Bulls welcome Zach LaVine back to the United Center for the first time since being traded to the Sacramento Kings. 

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Donovan has been no stranger to experimenting with unique lineups, and with Zach Collins (wrist) still out of the lineup, and Jalen Smith getting pulled after just three minutes during his first-half stint, Donovan went small-ball. 

Julian Phillips, Isaac Okoro and Patrick Williams made up the frontcourt of the small lineup. What made it interesting was that he was on the court against the Hawks’ double-big lineup with both Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu. 

Though Smith got a chance in the fourth quarter, Donovan again went to the same small unit against the Hawks’ twin towers. 

It’s been a challenge to figure out how all the puzzle pieces come together when it comes to the rotation. The Bulls have been resistant to extending the rotation beyond 10 players, and even with Collins and Coby White out, one of Dalen Terry or Phillips, and Noa Essengue have been the odd men out. 

Perhaps this small unit, if it sticks, could be one way to distribute more minutes. — Will Gottlieb

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The Bulls appear to have TWO “do it all” guards in their starting lineup: Giddey and Jones. Both calmed down after some early turnovers, and both stuffed the stat sheet with work on the glass and pretty dimes to teammates while also scoring in double figures.

The two-way play of Jones to begin the season makes the (hopefully) imminent return of White all the more fascinating. It’s clear Donovan trusts and adores Jones. So…whose minutes get cut when White returns? Could we see Donovan start all three of them? I think that’s a real possibility.

That could shift Isaac Okoro to a bench role. Speaking of, credit to Okoro for finally getting on the board and scoring his first points as a Bull. He also made some hustle plays that keyed the Bulls’ run spanning the second and third quarters.

Also, that Buzelis baseline drive that he finished with a reserve dunk. My lord. Did he just barely step out of bounds, and the refs missed it? Perhaps. Looked legit to me 😉 

What I did see was…holy lord. Impressive. — Matt Peck

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I yelled LOUD when Buzelis made that move and dunked on the baseline. Damn. 

What a turn in the 3rd for the Beloved. Aggressive, hitting timely shots, solid defense and effort got them back in the game.

LEE!!!!!!!! 

Tre “Salve” Jones. Where would the Bulls be without his play on both ends of the floor? 

The Hawks’ execution was outstanding in the first half. Jalen Johnson and Porzingis were ridiculous. The Bulls did a good job of upping the aggression on them in the second half.

Giddey played well — he was aggressive all night and wouldn’t let the Bulls collapse. His effort was HUGE. 
Huerter, “Red Velvet,” was great off the bench. His scoring is sorely needed. — Big Dave