Coby White, with his previous career-high of 37 points, took his game to new heights, stunning the audience with a remarkable 42-point performance. His explosive display led the Chicago Bulls to a commanding 131-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in a thrilling play-in showdown on Wednesday night.
In a relentless offensive onslaught, White relentlessly attacked the rim, leaving the crowd in awe and earning chants of admiration as he spearheaded the Bulls’ triumph. With this standout performance, Chicago now sets its sights on Miami, poised for a showdown on Friday to battle for the coveted No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a highly-anticipated first-round clash against the formidable Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat suffered a heart-wrenching 105-104 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the evening.
While Dejounte Murray led the charge for Atlanta with 30 points, the Hawks fell short once again, extending their woes after stumbling in their final six regular-season outings.
Nikola Vucevic delivered a solid performance for the Bulls, contributing 24 points and 12 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 22 points and nine assists.
Ayo Dosunmu made a triumphant return to action after sitting out the last four regular-season games due to a bruised right quadricep, adding 19 points to Chicago’s tally. The Bulls showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 56.8% from the field.
Despite a valiant effort from Trae Young and Clint Capela, who each notched 22 points, the Hawks couldn’t overcome the determined Bulls. Young, who battled through a 23-game absence late in the regular season due to a torn ligament in his left pinkie, dished out 10 assists but struggled with six turnovers, while Capela hauled in an impressive 17 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic also contributed with 21 points for Atlanta.
The turning point came in the third quarter when the Bulls seized control, embarking on a decisive 17-2 run after Vucevic drained a pivotal 3-pointer. White dazzled the crowd with a spectacular spin move around Young before setting up Javonte Green for a thunderous dunk, extending Chicago’s lead to a commanding 105-87.
Chicago set the tone early in the game, racing to a 40-22 lead at the end of the first quarter, fueled by a relentless defensive effort that forced five turnovers from Young alone. Although the Hawks mounted a comeback in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to just three points, the Bulls maintained their composure and headed into halftime with a 73-67 advantage.
With White leading the charge and the Bulls firing on all cylinders, Chicago showcased their playoff aspirations in a resounding victory over the Hawks, marking an emphatic statement as they march forward in pursuit of postseason glory.
