The Chicago Bulls clinched a 104-91 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, marking a significant boost as they welcomed back Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Coby White shone for the Bulls with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, leading the team to success after a rough patch of losing three out of four games.
DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for Chicago, and Andre Drummond continued his impressive form, grabbing 10 rebounds for his sixth consecutive game with double-digit boards. LaVine, returning after missing 17 games due to inflammation in his right foot, scored 15 points in nearly 30 minutes of play. Vucevic, back after five games out with a strained left adductor, contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, both playing as reserves.
LaVine expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting a need to regain his wind but feeling physically good. Vucevic anticipated returning to the starting lineup without a minute restriction in their next game against Charlotte.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 28 points, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide for Charlotte, who concluded a challenging 1-5 road trip. Terry Rozier and Cody Martin contributed with 15 and 13 points, respectively, but overall the Hornets struggled to keep pace with the Bulls.
The Bulls’ victory wasn’t without its challenges, as Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams were late scratches due to injuries. Yet, Chicago managed to pull away in the fourth quarter with a decisive 16-4 run, highlighted by Ayo Dosunmu’s impactful scoring and DeRozan’s three-point play.
The Hornets, facing their own set of challenges with injuries to key players like LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward, saw rookie Brandon Miller return to the starting lineup. However, PJ Washington exited the game in the first quarter due to a right ankle injury.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will have a chance for redemption as they host the Bulls on Monday night. This victory for the Bulls not only marks a successful return for LaVine and Vucevic but also demonstrates the team’s resilience and depth, setting a positive tone for their upcoming rematch.
