Energetic Bulls End Hawks' Season with 131-116 Play-In Win

In the second quarter, Dosunmu's help defense ignited an electric fast-break dunk by DeMar DeRozan.

Coby White, a strong Most Improved Player candidate, was nothing short of dazzling in the second half as he hit threes, found assists, and attacked the rim with flair.

White finished the game with a career-high 42 points plus nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

Don't Forget the Vets

Nikola Vucevic finished the night with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. DeRozan fed his stat sheet across the board with 22 points, nine assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block.

The Hawks Left their Nest a Few Times

Wednesday's Play-In Game ultimately delivered the Hawks to their offseason. However, the Hawks didn't totally capitulate against the Bulls.

Atlanta shot 53% from the field (24-45) in the first half and faced only a six-point deficit going into the locker room. Dejounte Murray was a key offensive catalyst for the Hawks as he hit a series of tough mid-range shots and a pair of three-pointers to finish the first half with 23 points on 57% shooting from the field (8-15).

The Hawks gave a COMPETITIVE effort to start the third quarter and kept the deficit within single digits for most of the frame. However, the Bulls held firm and finally regained their momentum at the 4:59 minute mark via Vucevic's three-point make that snowballed into an 18-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

The Bulls effectively won the game after three quarters and gave the rabid United Center crowd a fourth-quarter victory lap to cheer on.

What's On Tap Next?

After eliminating the Hawks from 2024 NBA playoff contention, the Bulls advance in the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament to face the Miami Heat on Friday.

If the Bulls win in South Beach, they'll clinch the Eastern Conference's eighth seed in the 2024 NBA playoffs. But if they lose, their season will be over. Wednesday's tip-off is at 6:00 PM CT and the game will air nationally on ESPN.