Wizards Hold Off Bulls Rally to Secure 124-120 Victory

The Washington Wizards survived a late Chicago Bulls rally to claim a 124-120 victory at the United Center on Saturday night, improving to 2-1 while handing Chicago its second defeat in three games.

The Bulls appeared to have control of the contest at halftime after taking a 62-57 advantage into the break, but Washington completely changed the game in the third quarter. The Wizards exploded for 40 points while limiting Chicago to only 20, turning a five-point halftime deficit into a 97-82 lead heading into the final period.

Chicago refused to go quietly. The home side produced a strong fourth-quarter response and eventually reduced the deficit to three points with 23.3 seconds remaining, but Washington stayed composed from the free-throw line to close out the win.

Trae Young was at the centre of the Wizards’ performance, finishing with 25 points and nine assists. Kyshawn George added 22 points and nine rebounds, while Anthony Davis contributed 19 points in his return to Chicago. Justin Champagnie also made an impact with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Bulls, rookie Caleb Wilson delivered the standout individual performance. The No. 4 pick recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds, producing the first double-double of his young NBA career. Matas Buzelis scored 21 points, Norman Powell added 18, and Jalen Smith finished with 14.

Wilson’s performance was one of the biggest positives for Chicago despite the result. He attacked the basket with confidence, competed strongly on the glass and gave the Bulls a reliable scoring option throughout the night. His 30-point effort also showed why Chicago has high expectations for the young forward.

The Bulls started brightly and made Washington work for every possession early in the game. Chicago finished the opening quarter trailing by only one point, with Washington ahead 28-27. The home team then found another gear in the second period, using a 10-0 run to open a 60-50 advantage.

Wilson played a major role during that stretch. He scored on a fast-break dunk to cap the run before adding another athletic finish shortly afterward. Chicago entered halftime with a five-point lead, and the momentum appeared to be firmly on its side.

Washington, however, returned from the locker room with a completely different level of urgency.

The third quarter became the decisive period. The Wizards moved the ball effectively, created better looks around the basket and punished Chicago in transition. Young was particularly influential, scoring seven points and delivering five assists during the quarter.

A lob from Young to Alex Sarr for a dunk helped Washington establish a commanding advantage late in the period. The Wizards eventually took a 97-82 lead into the fourth quarter, leaving Chicago with a significant deficit to overcome.

The Bulls’ problems were not simply about scoring. Their shooting from beyond the arc made the comeback more difficult. Chicago finished 12-for-43 from three-point range, a 27.9 percent conversion rate. Washington, meanwhile, shot 10-for-33 from deep.

That difference was important in a game decided by only four points. Chicago did make 28 of its 30 free throws, showing strong efficiency at the line, but the Bulls could not consistently convert from outside.

Washington also held an advantage on the glass, finishing with 56 rebounds compared with Chicago’s 53. The Wizards recorded 28 assists, while the Bulls finished with 25. Chicago did have more steals, collecting 10 compared with Washington’s five, but the Wizards’ offensive execution in the third quarter proved more influential.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Bulls for much of the period. Chicago attacked the deficit with greater urgency and began finding ways to generate points after struggling through the previous 12 minutes.

Buzelis became particularly important during the late push. He helped cap a 16-4 Bulls run with a three-pointer that brought Chicago within three points with 23.3 seconds remaining.

At that stage, Washington needed to execute under pressure, and Young and Davis delivered. The pair combined to make all six of their late free throws, preventing the Bulls from completing what would have been a remarkable comeback.

For Young, the performance continued a strong start to the season. His nine assists demonstrated the importance of his playmaking, while his scoring allowed Washington to maintain an offensive threat whenever Chicago tried to build momentum.

George also played a significant role. His 22 points and nine rebounds provided Washington with another dependable option alongside Young. Davis’ 19 points added further balance, while Champagnie controlled the boards with 14 rebounds.

The Wizards’ victory was especially valuable because it came on the road and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Bulls. Washington also opened a three-game road trip with a win, giving the team an early boost after dropping its previous game.

The result was even more notable because Washington played without AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the draft. Dybantsa was sidelined with a sprained left ankle, delaying his anticipated NBA debut. The Wizards therefore had to rely on their existing group to handle a Chicago team that was coming off a 132-125 victory over Milwaukee.

Chicago also entered the game dealing with absences. Noa Essengue and Patrick Williams were sidelined, reducing the options available to the Bulls.

Despite those setbacks, Chicago created enough opportunities to win. The biggest issue was its inability to sustain the level of play shown before halftime. A 40-20 third-quarter deficit is difficult to overcome against any NBA opponent, particularly one with a proven creator such as Young.

For Chicago, the defeat leaves a mixture of encouragement and frustration. Wilson’s 30-point, 14-rebound performance gives the Bulls another reason to be excited about their young core, while Buzelis and Powell also provided useful scoring support.

Still, the Bulls will know that the late rally only partly erased the damage from the third quarter. They fought their way back into contention, but the margin created by Washington was ultimately too large.

The Wizards, meanwhile, can take confidence from their ability to respond after falling behind. They were outplayed for stretches in the first half, yet their third-quarter surge changed the complexion of the game and gave them enough breathing room to survive Chicago’s final push.

Washington improved to 2-1 with the victory, while Chicago dropped to 1-2. The Wizards will now turn their attention to a road meeting with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, while the Bulls are scheduled to visit the Boston Celtics.

For Chicago, the challenge will be turning Wilson’s impressive individual showing and the team’s strong fourth-quarter response into a more complete performance. For Washington, the priority will be carrying the defensive intensity and offensive balance from its decisive third quarter into the next game.

In the end, the Wizards did enough when it mattered most. Chicago had the better finish and nearly completed the comeback, but Washington’s dominance in the third quarter gave Young and his teammates the cushion they needed to leave the United Center with a 124-120 victory.