Bulls Answer Blowout Loss with Teamwide Rout of Pelicans

The Chicago Bulls could not have scripted a more abrupt reversal to end the calendar year. Less than 24 hours after being dismantled by the Minnesota Timberwolves, they turned the tables Wednesday night, rolling past the New Orleans Pelicans 134–118 in a performance defined by balance, effort and resilience.

The result was made more impressive by the circumstances. Chicago played without Coby White, Josh Giddey and Zach Collins, forcing head coach Billy Donovan to lean on depth and versatility rather than star power.

Instead of one player carrying the offense, the Bulls received production from nearly everywhere. Eight players reached double figures, spreading the floor, pushing the tempo and never allowing New Orleans to fully seize control.

For a team that has spent much of the season searching for consistency, the collective showing provided a reminder that Chicago’s ceiling may depend less on individual stars and more on its ability to function as a unified group.

1. Depth Overcomes Depletion

With several regulars unavailable, Chicago reshuffled its rotation and leaned heavily on players accustomed to fluctuating roles. Isaac Okoro delivered the most memorable night of his career, scoring a career-high 24 points to pace the offense. Tre Jones orchestrated the attack, finishing with 20 points and 12 assists. His poise in transition and willingness to distribute helped stabilize a lineup that featured several unconventional pairings. Rookie Matas Buzelis added 19 points, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, continuing to serve as a reliable interior presence even as the Bulls played through different combinations. Jalen Smith made his mark in the starting lineup with 14 points and 14 rebounds, providing physicality in the paint and reinforcing the Bulls’ edge on the glass throughout the evening.

2. Role Players Rise

The momentum continued with Chicago’s second unit. Kevin Huerter chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, stretching the floor with timely perimeter shooting. Ayo Dosunmu supplied 12 points and six assists, giving the Bulls another ballhandler capable of maintaining pace when Jones rested. Patrick Williams also reached double figures with 12 points, rounding out a stat line that symbolized the team’s shared responsibility. That production across the roster allowed Chicago to weather runs by New Orleans without panicking. Each time the Pelicans threatened, another Bull emerged with a bucket or a defensive stop. By the final buzzer, eight players had cracked double digits — a rarity in the modern NBA and a testament to how thoroughly Chicago embraced the “next man up” mentality.

3. Spotlight on Patrick Williams

Williams’ performance drew particular attention, not only because of his 12 points, but because of the broader context surrounding him. With the trade deadline approaching on Feb. 5, the forward has been frequently mentioned in speculation, often tied to his inconsistency and $18 million annual salary. Head coach Billy Donovan was quick to defend him after the game, praising his activity on both ends of the floor. Donovan highlighted Williams’ baseline drive, a powerful dunk through contact, and timely three-point shooting as evidence of a player capable of influencing games in multiple ways. Defensively, Williams paired with Okoro to provide bigger bodies against Zion Williamson, an assignment that required both strength and discipline. Donovan noted that the combination gave Chicago more flexibility in handling New Orleans’ physical stars. Still, the broader picture remains complicated. Through 31 games, Williams is averaging 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds, and in contests where he scores in double figures, the Bulls are just 2–4 — a reminder that isolated performances have yet to translate into sustained impact.