The Atlanta Hawks narrowly fell to the Chicago Bulls, 126-123, in a very competitive Eastern Conference game at State Farm Arena. Despite leading much of the contest and receiving standout performances from Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, Atlanta was unable to close out the game in the final minutes.
The Hawks opened the contest with a strong first-quarter push, taking a 36-30 lead and remaining in control for much of the first half. Atlanta continued its momentum in the third quarter and looked poised to pull out a comfortable victory. However, Chicago responded with a balanced score in the second half, gradually reducing the deficit and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, the Bulls took a narrow lead and were able to fend off Atlanta’s comeback attempts. Two key free throws in the final seconds ultimately sealed Chicago’s victory. Despite the loss, Atlanta’s offensive execution, ball movement and tempo remained consistent throughout the night.
Young led the Hawks with 32 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals, showing strong leadership on the floor while facilitating the offense and creating quality scoring opportunities late in games. Johnson followed with 27 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and a block, producing a near triple-double while constantly exploiting mismatches in the paint.
Onyeka Okongwu added 15 points and nine rebounds, providing an interior presence and efficient finishing. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 14 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, while Vit Krejci provided a spark off the bench with 19 points. Rookie Asa Newell added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Dyson Daniels did not participate in the contest.
Atlanta shot about 48 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from three-point range, demonstrating disciplined shot selection and effective spacing. While the Hawks remained competitive on the glass, Chicago slightly outscored them in total rebounds, limiting Atlanta’s second-chance scoring opportunities.
For the Bulls, Josh Giddey led the way with 24 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, controlling the tempo and delivering decisive moments. Coby White scored 21 points and converted critical free throws down the stretch, while Matas Buzelis added 18 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting performance.
