Nikola Vucevic delivered a dominant performance with a season-high 39 points as the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 139-124 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. Chicago snapped a two-game losing streak with its most prolific scoring outing of the season.
Ayo Dosunmu registered his first career triple-double with 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The fourth-year guard set season highs across the board in a commanding performance for the Bulls.
Chicago set the tone early with Zach LaVine’s opening possession three-pointer. The Bulls never trailed, shooting a season-best 57.8% from the field and amassing a season-high 73 points in the first half to take a commanding 73-57 lead into the break.
The Spurs, playing without rookie standout Victor Wembanyama due to a back injury, struggled to keep pace. Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with a season-high 28 points, while Devin Vassell contributed 17 points in the loss.
Jeremy Sochan made his return to the starting lineup for San Antonio after missing 13 games due to thumb surgery. He notched 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, earning his first career start at center in Wembanyama’s absence.
The Bulls showcased their depth, with six players scoring in double figures. Rookie Matas Buzelis added 11 points off the bench, continuing his strong recent play following a career-high 20-point outing against Brooklyn earlier this week.
Talen Horton-Tucker and Jalen Smith also provided valuable contributions off the bench, combining for 22 points. Chicago’s ball movement shone, as the team dished out 36 assists while committing just 17 turnovers.
For San Antonio, Chris Paul tallied 12 points and nine assists but couldn’t spark a comeback. The Spurs shot just 28.6% from beyond the arc and struggled defensively against Chicago’s high-powered offense.
The Bulls’ interior dominance and efficient shooting carried them throughout the game. Vucevic led the charge with 16-of-22 shooting, including two three-pointers. Dosunmu’s aggressive play on both ends of the court provided additional momentum, solidifying Chicago’s hold on the game.
Despite the loss, the Spurs saw positives in Johnson’s offensive explosion and Sochan’s return. San Antonio has now dropped three of its last four games and sits at .500 with an 11-11 record.
Chicago improved to 10-13 on the season and will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for consistency. Meanwhile, San Antonio faces uncertainty regarding Wembanyama’s status as they aim to regain momentum.
