CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 25 points and Andre Drummond’s impressive double-double, secured a 118-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Drummond, in his first start of the season, posted season-highs with 24 points and 25 rebounds.
The Bulls managed to contain Hawks’ star Trae Young, who finished with 21 points and 13 assists, ending his streak of seven consecutive games with at least 30 points and 10 assists. Chicago’s win comes despite missing key players Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic due to injuries.
DeRozan’s second-half performance, where he scored 21 of his 25 points, was pivotal for the Bulls. His 11 points in the fourth quarter, including crucial baskets in the last three minutes, were instrumental in sealing the win. DeRozan expressed his thrill in delivering in clutch moments, likening it to his childhood dreams.
Drummond, who replaced the injured Vucevic, made a significant impact, shooting 11 of 13 and playing 39 minutes. He expressed his belief in still being a starter-quality player in the league.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu each contributed 19 points for Chicago. Despite struggling from the three-point line, the Bulls executed well enough to overcome their loss to Cleveland in the previous game.
For Atlanta, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the scoring with 22 points, while Dejounte Murray added 17 points, breaking his streak of consecutive 20-point games.
The game saw its fair share of lead changes and was tied at 106 before Alex Caruso’s three-pointer gave the Bulls a crucial edge. DeRozan’s key baskets in the closing stages helped Chicago maintain their lead.
Jalen Johnson returned for Atlanta after missing several games due to a wrist injury, contributing 10 points in his first game since late November.
With Vucevic sidelined due to a groin injury and LaVine still recovering, the Bulls could be facing a challenging period ahead. Vucevic’s timeline for return remains uncertain after an MRI, and LaVine has started light cutting as part of his recovery process.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will host Sacramento on Friday, while the Bulls face Indiana on Thursday.
