Here's the latest Chicago Bulls news following an overtime brick fest against the Charlotte Hornets, including Coby White's hot night, Lonzo Ball's playing time and the two teams' inexplicable repeat of one of the NBA's ugliest records.
Bulls, Hornets tie their own record for most missed threes in a game
In a Dec. 13 home win for Chicago, the Bulls and Hornets combined to miss 75 threes. That set an NBA record for 3-point futility—no two teams had ever combined to brick that many shots from deep.
Somehow, serendipitously, both teams met again and combined to miss exactly 75 more threes.
Now, the Bulls and Hornets hold two ugly records; the aforementioned 75 missed threes and the high-water mark of 150 missed 3-pointers across two games.
Coby White led the Bulls with 23 points but was just 1-for-11 from deep. Josh Giddey was 1-for-9. Jalen Smith was 1-for-6.
Patrick Williams hit five threes, four of which came in the first half, and head coach Billy Donovan dusted off veteran Torrey Craig in the second half, who hit five triples of his own.
At least it took an extra five minutes for them to be this prolifically bad this time?
Coby White provides the Bulls with a post-Zach LaVine peek
Yes, White was 1-for-11 from deep (which is actually an extension of a more troubling trend: The 24-year-old is only shooting 35.2 percent from three this year), but he was still the offensive catalyst for the Bulls.
It was White's wildly inefficient 23 points that led Chicago, but he also dished out nine assists and only turned the ball over three times while playing a team-high 41 minutes. It was a true combo guard-like performance, which is exactly what White is.
He may not be the pure scorer LaVine is, but the UNC alum is a better floor leader, passer and decision-maker.
If and when the organization finally decides to trade LaVine, White is poised to take over as the Bulls' top offensive option like he did last night. His point guard-like tendencies would give Chicago's backcourt a different look next to someone like Josh Giddey.
Lonzo Ball hits a very welcome milestone
Ball played 26 minutes in last night's win, scoring four points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out five of the Bulls' 31 assists. He added three steals and was a team-high +25.
As Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune points out, it was the first time Ball crossed the 25-minute threshold since January of 2022 before his long and winding road back to the floor that included three different knee procedures.
The 26-year-old and his $24.1 million expiring contract are on the trade block, but whether he plays out the rest of his deal in Chicago or does it elsewhere, everyone across the league should be more than impressed with what he's accomplished this season.
Have a happy New Year's!