The Chicago Bulls outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 on Sunday night at State Farm Arena, producing the highest-scoring NBA game of the 2025-26 season. Chicago improved to 13-15, while Atlanta fell back to .500 at 15-15.
Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 28 points and hit a career-high seven three-pointers on eight attempts. Chicago placed nine players in double figures and shot 58 percent from the field in a pace-heavy contest.
The Bulls built an 83-73 halftime lead after scoring a season-high 83 points in the opening two quarters. That total surpassed their previous first-half high of 72 points earlier this season.
Atlanta responded with a 42-point third quarter to briefly flip the momentum. The Hawks trimmed the deficit and turned the final minutes into a possession-by-possession finish.
Jalen Johnson paced Atlanta with 36 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in one of his most productive outings of the season. Trae Young added a season-high 35 points while continuing his return from a right MCL sprain.
Johnson drilled a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to give Chicago a one-point edge at 151-150. Buzelis then split a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left before Young missed a contested jumper at the buzzer.
Chicago’s offensive balance was critical late as Coby White scored 21 points despite being listed as questionable with a sore left ankle. Josh Giddey recorded 19 points and 12 assists, controlling tempo during key stretches.
The Bulls have now won three straight and were also involved in the previous highest-scoring game of the season, a 150-147 double-overtime loss at Utah on Nov. 16. Chicago also set a season high for total points, surpassing that Utah game output.
Atlanta received additional scoring from Onyeka Okongwu with 23 points and Vit Krejci with 20 off the bench. The Hawks shot 49 percent from three-point range but could not secure the final defensive stop.
Young made his second start in three games after missing 21 contests, with head coach Quin Snyder noting that a gradual acclimation remains necessary for back-to-back appearances. Atlanta was also without Kristaps Porzingis for a sixth straight game due to illness.
The teams will meet again Tuesday night in Atlanta, giving the Hawks an immediate chance to respond after dropping their third straight game.
