Bulls Rally Late Again, Ayo Dosunmu Keeps Trae Young in Check as Chicago Sweeps Atlanta
With just over five minutes left on the clock, the Chicago Bulls were staring down a 3.7% win probability. But if we’ve learned anything from this Bulls-Hawks mini-series, it’s that the numbers don’t always tell the story - especially when Ayo Dosunmu is involved.
For the second time in a week, Chicago clawed back from the brink to stun the Atlanta Hawks, this time with a fourth-quarter surge that flipped the script and delivered another clutch win. After Sunday’s 152-150 thriller - sealed when Trae Young’s floater missed at the buzzer - the Bulls doubled down with a gritty, emotional victory that featured a little bit of everything: tension, swagger, and a whole lot of defense.
The game got heated early and often. Jalen Johnson got in the face of rookie Matas Buzelis.
Moments later, Trae Young and Ayo Dosunmu had to be separated after a brief scuffle. But once the dust settled, it was the Bulls who settled in - outscoring Atlanta by 16 in the final frame, hitting their free throws when it mattered, and walking away with their second straight win over the team directly above them in the Eastern Conference standings.
And once again, Dosunmu was the difference.
Ayo Dosunmu: The Trae Stopper
Let’s be clear - Trae Young is no easy assignment. He’s a four-time All-Star, an All-NBA talent, and last season’s league leader in assists.
He’s a nightly double-double threat and one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the league. But when it comes to facing Ayo Dosunmu, it’s like flipping a switch - and not in a good way for Young.
Since entering the league in 2021, Dosunmu has made a habit of making life miserable for the Hawks’ star guard. He’s not just defending him - he’s dictating the matchup.
Disrupting his rhythm. Forcing inefficient nights.
And in some cases, flat-out rattling him.
Take last season’s NBA Play-In Tournament as a prime example. Young finished with 22 points and 10 assists, which sounds solid on paper - until you dig deeper.
He shot just 4-for-12 from the field, turned the ball over six times, and posted a team-worst -27 plus-minus. That’s not just a bad night - that’s a defensive masterclass by Dosunmu.
And the trend continued last night. Young went just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc and couldn’t find any offensive flow.
Meanwhile, Dosunmu continued to thrive - aggressive on both ends, efficient offensively, and fully in control of the matchup. His confidence is sky-high, and it shows.
Emotions Boil Over
It’s no secret that Young is one of the most competitive players in the league. But after dropping three straight games to the Bulls - with Dosunmu in his face for most of them - the frustration is starting to show.
The scuffle between the two guards last night felt like a culmination of that bubbling tension. Young had just checked back into the game.
Chicago was surging. And Dosunmu, once again, was making things uncomfortable.
After the brief altercation, Dosunmu was subbed out - but not before leaving his mark yet again.
After the game, Dosunmu downplayed the moment, but the message was clear: he’s not backing down. And right now, he’s got the upper hand in this matchup - mentally, physically, and statistically.
Bulls Keep Climbing
This win wasn’t just about individual battles. It was a statement from a Bulls team that’s finding its identity in the thick of the season. Two straight wins over a direct rival in the standings - both in high-pressure, late-game scenarios - speaks volumes about this group’s toughness.
Chicago is getting contributions across the board, but Dosunmu’s emergence as a defensive tone-setter and clutch performer is giving them an edge when it matters most. Whether it’s knocking down big shots, locking up star guards, or bringing the energy in chippy moments, he’s becoming a cornerstone of the Bulls’ identity.
As for Atlanta, they’ll have to regroup. Three straight losses to Chicago - and a visibly frustrated star - is not where they expected to be heading into the new year.
But for now, the Bulls have the bragging rights. And Ayo Dosunmu? He’s got the keys to Trae Young’s nightmares.