The Chicago Bulls are starting to make a little noise - and they’re doing it in dramatic fashion. For the second time in three days, they edged out the Atlanta Hawks in a nail-biter, this time with a 126-123 win on Tuesday night. It wasn’t the offensive explosion we saw in Sunday’s 152-150 shootout - the highest-scoring game of the NBA season - but it was every bit as intense.
Down by 10 late in the fourth, the Bulls dug in and clawed their way back. Coby White and Nikola Vucevic came up clutch at the line, knocking down key free throws to seal the win. It was the kind of gritty finish that speaks to a team finding its identity - and maybe, just maybe, its rhythm.
But let’s not bury the lede: Josh Giddey is the engine behind this surge.
Giddey’s Triple-Double Tear Continues
Giddey didn’t lead the Bulls in scoring, but make no mistake - he was the most impactful player on the floor. Coming into the night tied for second in the league with six triple-doubles, he added another to his growing résumé, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and a season-high 15 assists.
That’s now seven triple-doubles on the season for Giddey, who’s quietly become one of the most versatile and valuable guards in the league. He’s scored in double figures in seven straight games, and his court vision continues to elevate the Bulls’ offense - especially in crunch time.
What makes Giddey so dangerous isn’t just the numbers. It’s the way he controls the tempo, reads defenses, and gets teammates involved. When he’s in rhythm, the Bulls look like a completely different team - one that can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone.
The Giddey Effect
Chicago has now won four straight and sits at 14-15, just a game below .500. And if you’re looking for a common thread in their losses, it’s this: when Giddey’s assist numbers dip, so does the Bulls' success.
In six of Chicago’s 14 losses this season, Giddey failed to hit his season average of 8.9 assists. That’s not a coincidence.
His ability to distribute and create for others is the lifeblood of this offense. When he’s orchestrating at a high level, everything clicks - the ball moves, shooters get clean looks, and the floor spacing opens up for guys like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic to go to work.
A Crucial Stretch Ahead
Now comes the real test. Over the next five games, the Bulls face a tough slate that includes the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic - three teams that are firmly in the playoff mix and bring very different challenges.
This upcoming stretch could tell us a lot about who the Bulls really are. Can they hang with the East’s elite? Can they string together consistent performances, not just in close games, but against teams that know how to close?
If they can get above .500 during this run, it’ll likely be because Giddey continues to elevate his game - and his teammates along with him. He’s already proven he can stuff the stat sheet. Now, he has a chance to lead this team into the thick of the playoff conversation.
The Bulls are starting to turn heads. And if Giddey keeps this up, they might just keep turning them all season long.