CHICAGO – Isaac Okoro scored a season-high 24 points, Tre Jones added 20 points and 12 assists, and the Chicago Bulls overcame injuries to their top scorers to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 134-118 on Wednesday night at the United Center.

The Bulls played without Josh Giddey and Coby White, both sidelined due to injuries sustained in Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, forcing Chicago to rely on depth and balanced scoring to overcome a competitive Pelicans squad.

Matas Buzelis contributed 19 points, while Jalen Smith added a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, providing Chicago with crucial inside presence and demonstrating versatility that helped offset the absence of Giddey and White.

Veteran Nikola Vucevic chipped in 17 points, showing leadership and experience, helping to organize Chicago’s offense while mentoring younger players such as Okoro and Buzelis, whose contributions highlighted the Bulls’ depth and adaptability in a challenging matchup.

The Bulls’ effort was notable for its collective scoring output, as all five starters reached double figures, joined by bench contributors Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, and Patrick Williams, reinforcing the idea that Chicago’s roster is built on balance rather than reliance on one or two stars.

For New Orleans, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points, using his combination of power and athleticism to consistently attack the paint, while Jordan Poole added 26 points off the bench, keeping the Pelicans within striking distance at various points of the contest.

Despite the efforts of Williamson, Poole, and their supporting cast, the Pelicans suffered their fifth straight loss, a disappointing stretch that comes after a brief five-game winning streak, highlighting challenges with consistency and execution against well-balanced opponents like Chicago.

The Bulls imposed their up-tempo style, scoring 25 points on fast breaks, using speed and ball movement to exploit mismatches and create opportunities for both guards and forwards, while also holding their own in the paint, outscoring New Orleans 60-56 in interior points.

Chicago also capitalized on New Orleans’ fouls in a physical contest, making 25 of 34 free throws, a significant improvement from earlier struggles at the line during the first half, showing poise and discipline under pressure.

The Bulls’ lead grew steadily over the course of the game, entering the fourth quarter with a 97-90 advantage, before expanding it to 17 points, effectively putting the game out of reach and demonstrating Chicago’s ability to sustain offensive pressure while limiting Pelicans’ runs.

Okoro scored 16 of his points in the first half, energizing the Bulls early and setting the tone with a mix of drives, mid-range jumpers, and perimeter shooting, giving Chicago an offensive edge and forcing the Pelicans to adjust defensively.

Williamson consistently attacked the paint for New Orleans, scoring 20 points in the first 24 minutes, including a nine-point streak late in the second quarter, which kept the Pelicans within striking distance and tested Chicago’s defensive rotations.

Chicago leveraged strong bench production, as Dosunmu, Huerter, and Williams contributed in scoring and spacing, allowing the Bulls to maintain offensive balance and limit reliance on Okoro, Jones, or Vucevic for scoring consistency throughout the game.

Tre Jones’ 12 assists highlighted his floor general abilities, orchestrating plays, distributing effectively to multiple scorers, and ensuring that Chicago’s offense remained fluid, balanced, and difficult to defend even in the absence of their top scorers.

The Bulls’ defensive execution was equally critical, with rotations, closeouts, and communication effectively slowing New Orleans’ interior scoring attempts, while also contesting perimeter shots to force the Pelicans into difficult possessions and limit second-chance points.

Chicago’s rebounding, led by Jalen Smith and Nikola Vucevic, played a pivotal role, allowing the Bulls to control tempo, secure offensive opportunities, and minimize Pelicans’ second-chance scoring, demonstrating the team’s commitment to executing on both ends of the floor.

The Bulls’ record of fast-break points, efficient shooting, and conversion of turnovers into points was a significant factor in the victory, turning defensive stops and mistakes by New Orleans into immediate scoring opportunities that shifted momentum in Chicago’s favor.

The Pelicans’ rotation was impacted by guard Jose Alvarado serving the second game of a two-game suspension stemming from a fight with Phoenix’s Mark Williams, limiting New Orleans’ depth and forcing reliance on bench scoring to keep pace with Chicago’s balanced attack.

Chicago’s win also reflects strategic adjustments made by head coach Billy Donovan, who emphasized ball movement, spacing, and exploiting New Orleans’ defensive lapses, allowing young players like Okoro and Buzelis to thrive in high-pressure moments and contribute effectively.

The Bulls’ shooting efficiency was a major factor, hitting 51.1% from the field, while New Orleans managed 42.9%, despite taking six more shots, demonstrating Chicago’s superior shot selection, offensive execution, and ability to convert opportunities under pressure.

Chicago will look to carry this momentum into Friday’s home matchup against the Orlando Magic, using the victory as a confidence boost while continuing to develop depth contributions and integrate younger players into meaningful roles across multiple rotations.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans will host Portland on Friday night, seeking to end their losing streak, regain consistency, and find ways to capitalize on their stars, including Williamson and Poole, while addressing issues that allowed Chicago to control tempo and maintain scoring balance.

The Bulls’ ability to succeed without Giddey and White is a testament to team depth, coaching strategy, and individual resilience, proving that Chicago can remain competitive even when facing injury challenges and testing lineups with multiple new combinations.

Chicago’s balanced scoring, defensive communication, and ability to capitalize on New Orleans’ mistakes ultimately secured the victory, highlighting the importance of teamwork, preparation, and execution in overcoming adversity and maintaining momentum in a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.

This game also served as a showcase for emerging players like Okoro and Buzelis, who demonstrated scoring versatility, confidence, and maturity beyond their years, giving Bulls fans optimism for the remainder of the season and the potential for sustained success despite injury challenges.

The final score, 134-118, reflected Chicago’s dominance across multiple facets of the game, from fast-break efficiency and paint scoring to balanced contributions from starters and bench alike, establishing the Bulls as a team capable of competing with top-tier Eastern Conference opponents.