18 Nov 2025
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The Chicago Bulls pulled off one of the most improbable victories of the 2025-2026 NBA season, beating the Denver Nuggets 130-127 at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, November 17, 2025 — just 18 hours after losing a 150-147 double-overtime thriller to the Utah Jazz. With their starters exhausted, their rotation thinned, and their travel schedule brutal, Chicago didn’t just show up — they outlasted, outplayed, and outdueled the league’s hottest team. The win snapped a five-game skid, handed Denver its first home loss of the season, and ended the Nuggets’ seven-game winning streak. And it all came down to two shots — one from Kevin Huerter, another from Nikola Vucevic, both of whom turned into cold-blooded assassins when it mattered most.
From Exhaustion to Excellence
The Bulls arrived in Denver after a grueling 1,100-mile flight from Salt Lake City, having played 54 minutes of basketball the night before. They were missing starting guards Kobe White and Trey Jones due to fatigue and minor injuries. Denver, meanwhile, was rolling — 10-3 on the season, unbeaten at home, and riding a wave of momentum led by Nikola Jokic, who was already on pace for his eighth triple-double of the season. The Nuggets were missing Christian Braun, their starting shooting guard, with a left ankle injury. But even without him, Denver’s starters were supposed to be enough.They weren’t.
Chicago’s bench — the very unit that had been criticized all season for inconsistency — exploded for 66 points. Denver’s reserves? Nine. That 57-point differential is the largest bench scoring gap in NBA history for a game decided by less than five points. It wasn’t just volume — it was precision. Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey each dropped 21 points, while Giddey added 14 rebounds. The Bulls didn’t need their stars to carry them. They needed their role players to believe — and they did.
The Final Minutes: A Masterclass in Clutch
With 2:19 left, Denver tied the game at 117-117 on a layup by Jamal Murray, who scored 18 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter alone. The Nuggets had erased a 13-point deficit. The crowd was roaring. The Bulls looked gassed. But then, with 1:25 on the clock, Kevin Huerter — a journeyman shooting guard traded from Atlanta earlier this season — caught the ball at the right wing, pump-faked, and drained a step-back three. The arena went silent. 120-117 Bulls.Thirty-three seconds later, Nikola Vucevic — the 34-year-old veteran center who once averaged 20 points per game for Orlando — stepped into another three at the top of the key. No hesitation. Pure mechanics. Swish. 123-117. The Nuggets had 28 seconds. They needed a three and a stop. Jokic, who had 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists by then, drove hard, drew two defenders, and kicked out to a wide-open Aaron Gordon. The shot clanged off the rim.
With 2.3 seconds left, Denver fouled Huerter. He made both free throws. 125-117. The Nuggets had no timeouts. Jokic inbounded, drove the length of the floor, and launched a 30-foot heave at the buzzer. It was off the mark. The Bulls’ bench stormed the court. The Nuggets sat stunned.
Why This Game Matters
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. The Bulls, who entered the game 2-5 on the road, proved they could win under the most extreme conditions. They’ve got a core of young players — Giddey, Dosunmu, Patrick Williams — who are learning how to win without being perfect. And they’ve got veterans like Vucevic and Huerter who know how to close.For Denver, the loss exposes a dangerous vulnerability: their bench. Jokic carried them for years, but this team now relies too heavily on him. Even with 36 points and 13 assists, he can’t do it alone. When the starters rest, the Nuggets collapse. That’s not sustainable in a playoff run.
And then there’s the emotional toll. The Bulls had just lost a heartbreaker in Utah — blowing a 12-point lead with under six minutes to go. To bounce back the next night, on the road, against the league’s best team, with no rest and no key players? That’s the kind of resilience that defines contenders.
What’s Next?
The Bulls head home to Chicago for a three-game homestand, starting Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. Denver returns to the Mile High City with a bruised ego and a looming question: Can they develop a reliable second unit before the playoffs? The two teams meet again on February 21, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago. By then, we may know if this game was a fluke — or the turning point in Chicago’s season.Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Bulls’ bench outscore Denver’s reserves 66-9?
Chicago’s reserves, led by players like Jalen Suggs, Jalen Williams, and Javonte Green, played with fearless energy, hitting 12 three-pointers and forcing 11 turnovers. Denver’s bench, meanwhile, featured mostly role players like Christian Koloko and Zhaire Smith, who struggled with shot selection and defensive rotations. The 57-point gap is the largest in NBA history for a game decided by fewer than five points, highlighting Chicago’s depth advantage.
Why was Nikola Jokic’s performance still impressive despite the loss?
Jokic recorded his eighth triple-double of the season — 36 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists — becoming the first player in NBA history to reach that mark through 13 games. He nearly had a 40-point triple-double and was one assist away from one at halftime. His ability to control the game under pressure is unmatched, but even he couldn’t overcome Denver’s complete bench collapse.
What impact did the Bulls’ travel schedule have on the game?
The Bulls flew from Salt Lake City to Denver immediately after their 150-147 double-overtime loss on Sunday night, landing at 3 a.m. local time. They had less than 12 hours of rest before tip-off. Despite that, they outrebounded Denver 52-44 and held the Nuggets to 42% shooting in the second half — a testament to their mental toughness and coaching adjustments under extreme fatigue.
How did Kevin Huerter’s performance change his role on the team?
Huerter, who averaged just 8.2 points per game before this game, went from a rotation shooter to a clutch performer with 22 points, including the go-ahead three and two clutch free throws. His confidence soared, and coach Billy Donovan immediately named him a starter for the next game. This could be the breakout moment that transforms him from a role player into a key piece in Chicago’s playoff push.
Is this loss a sign of trouble for the Nuggets’ championship hopes?
It’s a red flag. Denver’s bench has now scored fewer than 10 points in three of their last five games. Jokic can’t carry them every night. If they don’t improve their second unit before the playoffs — especially with injuries to Braun and potential fatigue from a heavy schedule — they risk being exposed by deeper teams like Milwaukee or Boston in a seven-game series.
What does this win mean for the Bulls’ playoff chances?
It’s a turning point. At 7-6, Chicago is now just 1.5 games out of the 8th seed in the East. Wins like this — against elite teams, under impossible conditions — build belief. If they can replicate this kind of resilience against teams like the Knicks and Pacers, they could sneak into the play-in tournament. This wasn’t just a win. It was the first sign they might be more than just a lottery team.