In a thrilling offensive showdown, the Chicago Bulls edged out the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 on Sunday, December 21, 2025, after Trae Young’s last-second shot to tie the game rimmed out at the buzzer. This marked the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, with both teams combining for a relentless pace that left players and coaches breathless from the opening tip.
The Bulls set the tone early, exploding for 83 points in the first half, a season high, behind the hot shooting of rookie Matas Buzelis. Buzelis finished with a season-high 28 points on 10-of-11 shooting, including a career-best seven three-pointers, and was one of nine Chicago players to score in double figures. The Hawks responded in kind, with Trae Young, playing in only his third game back from a right MCL sprain, pouring in 35 points, while Jalen Johnson added 36 points to keep Atlanta within striking distance throughout.
The game remained tight until the final moments. With the Bulls leading 151-150 after a Johnson three-pointer with five seconds left, Buzelis made one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Young drove to his preferred spot and attempted to draw a foul on Josh Giddey, but his jumper over Giddey’s defense bounced off the rim as time expired. Young’s miss capped a night where he showed his scoring prowess but couldn’t convert when it mattered most.
Chicago’s victory was fueled by a balanced offensive attack, with Josh Giddey contributing 19 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, nearly notching a triple-double. However, the game exposed defensive shortcomings on both sides, as neither team could consistently stop the other, resulting in a scorefest that saw the Hawks answer a 45-point Bulls second quarter with a 42-point third quarter of their own. Bulls coach Billy Donovan praised the win but highlighted areas for improvement, particularly late-game execution after missed free throws by Coby White and Buzelis in the final minute.
For the Bulls, now 13-15, the win extends their winning streak to three games and provides momentum as they climb in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks, falling to 15-15, have lost three straight and seven of their last nine, struggling to integrate Young back into the lineup. The teams will face off again on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Atlanta, offering a chance for adjustments and a potential defensive turnaround after this offensive explosion.
