Josh Giddey Shines as Chicago Bulls Overcome 13-Point Deficit to Beat Charlotte Hornets 129-126, Ending Seven-Game Losing Streak
Chicago, Illinois — On Friday night, the Chicago Bulls staged an impressive comeback to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 129-126 at the United Center, overcoming a 13-point second-half deficit and snapping a seven-game losing streak that had weighed heavily on the team.
Rising star Josh Giddey led the charge with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, while Zach Collins contributed 16 points off the bench. All five Chicago starters finished in double figures, highlighted by Coby White, who scored 20 points, including two clutch free throws in the final seconds that sealed the victory.
Hornets Lead Early but Fall Short
Despite the loss, the Hornets put up a strong fight. Kon Knueppel set a career-high with 33 points and nine assists, while Miles Bridges added 32 points of his own. Charlotte had a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds remaining when Knueppel attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Officials initially called a foul on Collins, but after reviewing the replay, the call was overturned, giving the Bulls possession and ruling that Collins had not made contact.
Shortly after, Coby White was fouled and converted two free throws with 8.2 seconds left, ultimately giving Chicago the edge and clinching the win.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The Hornets led 61-51 at halftime, powered by 20 points from Bridges and 17 points from Knueppel, who combined to make 7 of 11 three-point attempts. Charlotte extended its lead to 13 points in the third quarter, but Chicago fought back. Isaac Okoro drove for a breakaway layup and one free throw, giving the Bulls a 102-99 lead with nine minutes remaining.
In the closing moments, Giddey attacked the rim and converted a high-arching layup off the glass, stretching Chicago’s lead to five points and providing a crucial momentum shift for the comeback.
Impressive Shooting, but Bulls’ Resilience Prevails
The Hornets finished the game hitting 16 three-pointers at 43.2%, while the Bulls made just 10 of 28. Yet Chicago’s balanced scoring and timely plays proved decisive. All five starters contributing in double figures reflected the team’s resilience and collective effort in a pressure-packed game.
Notably, Josh Green played his first game of the season for Charlotte after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, marking a return to the court in a challenging matchup.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Bulls will aim to build momentum as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, hoping to extend their winning form and climb the standings. Meanwhile, the Hornets face the challenge of regrouping after a narrow loss and finding a path to halt a troubling stretch of inconsistent results.
