CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls secured a comfortable 114-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, overshadowing Victor Wembanyama’s difficult night for the Spurs. Wembanyama, the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick, had a memorable pre-game experience meeting NHL’s top pick Connor Bedard, but his on-court performance left something to be desired.
Coby White was the star for the Bulls, scoring 22 points, including a crucial 12 in the fourth quarter to help Chicago pull away. The Bulls’ win, their eighth in 11 games, came despite the absence of Zach LaVine due to a foot injury.
Wembanyama, a 7-foot-3 French prodigy, had a challenging game, finishing with a season-low seven points and five rebounds. This performance ended his record-setting streak of eight consecutive double-doubles for a teenager. He struggled from the field, making only 3 of 8 shots and failing to score in the first half. Wembanyama, who missed the previous game due to a sore ankle, insisted postgame that his ankle was fine.
The Bulls’ victory was a team effort, with DeMar DeRozan contributing 21 points, Patrick Williams adding 18, and Nikola Vucevic chipping in with 16. Chicago’s resilience and team spirit were key factors in their victory, as noted by White.
San Antonio’s Devin Vassell led his team with 21 points, but the Spurs couldn’t halt their losing skid, dropping their third consecutive game since breaking an 18-game losing streak. The Spurs struggled to find rhythm, which was evident in their overall performance.
The Bulls’ 3-point shooting was a mixed bag, hitting just 7 of 28 attempts. However, they found their range in the crucial fourth quarter, sinking 5 of 6 from deep. White’s two 3-pointers in the quarter, including one that stretched the lead to 15, were pivotal in sealing the game.
Off the court, Bulls coach Billy Donovan provided an update on LaVine’s injury status, indicating that he will increase his activities next week. The team is optimistic about his recovery and will monitor how he responds to more strenuous exercises.
Additionally, Bulls forward Torrey Craig expressed hope of returning sooner than the initially projected two-month recovery period from his right foot injury, citing positive progress in his rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will try to regroup as they face Dallas on Saturday night, while the Bulls host Cleveland in their next matchup.
