Josh Giddey finishes with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 12 dimes to fuel Chicago’s 152-150 win over Atlanta.
Enjoy the best of Sunday’s 6-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
Sunday’s Final Scores
Chicago Bulls 152, Atlanta Hawks 150
8:04 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Raptors clawing back
Toronto has trailed by as many as 15 in the second half, but they’ve brought it to within 6 points in the fourth, trailing Brooklyn 79-73 with 7:54 left in the contest.
Immanuel Quickley has 15 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists, while Brandon Ingram leads the Raps with 17 points.
IQ WITH BACK-TO-BACK 3s 👌 pic.twitter.com/nPmM4men3a
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 22, 2025
Michael Porter, Jr. continues to pace the Nets with 24 points and 9 rebounds on 9-for-17 shooting with four made 3s.
7:42 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Knicks-Heat battling in MSG
Jalen Brunson continues to cook with 33 points and 6 assists for the Knicks, helping his squad hold a slim 94-91 edge over the Heat in the third quarter.
OG block.
OG bucket.
OG block.
Brunson bucket.
Anunoby getting it DONE on both ends 😤 pic.twitter.com/nzhxP8kAXl
— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2025
Kel’el Ware has a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Norman Powell adds 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for Miami.
7:34 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
How did Ant finish this?!
Anthony Edwards somehow gets this incredible and-1 to go, giving him a game-high 9 points in 10 minutes.
ANTMAN WHAT A PLAY 🤯
DANCES ON THE BASELINE, THEN DRIVES AND FINISHES THROUGH CONTACT!
Watch here: https://t.co/NTzAO1btuG pic.twitter.com/AQ9HvqMH8Z
— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2025
go ahead and watch it again.
& vote while you’re at it. » https://t.co/PycQA58ZqZ https://t.co/fiUVp1kHG9 pic.twitter.com/WLo7E9rEoM
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 22, 2025
However, Minnesota trails Milwaukee 26-21 with 1:01 remaining in the first quarter.
RYAN ROLLINS LEFTY POSTER. pic.twitter.com/7qnrpEFZeA
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 22, 2025
7:28 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Spurs clicking early in D.C.
Stephon Castle gets the Spurs offense going with 3 dimes and a steal, while Harrison Barnes has come out hot with 8 points and two made 3s.
Toss it to the rim, and Luke Kornet will come down with it 💥
2 early alley-oops for the Spurs on NBA League Pass.
Tap to watch: https://t.co/tYfAhWC0CT pic.twitter.com/GQckUTXOER
— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2025
Tristan Vukcevic leads Washington with a game-high 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting with two made 3s. The Wizards trail the Spurs 20-19 with 2:53 remaining in the opening quarter, live now on League Pass!
Tre gettin’ to work in the paint 🎨 pic.twitter.com/Vqrk3eHEff
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 22, 2025
7:13 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Brunson burner ignites Knicks in 1H
Jalen Brunson goes off for a game-high 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting with five made 3s in 18 first-half minutes. Mikal Bridges is feeling it, too, putting up 18 points and four made 3s in 20 minutes to help the Knicks grab a 66-62 edge at halftime.
that’s 12 PTS for mikal shooting 5/7 FG
vote knicks for nba all-star ⭐️ https://t.co/Ov3esq1i8z pic.twitter.com/zT0ElwrAOy
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 21, 2025
Kel’el Ware leads Miami with 14 points and 9 rebounds, while Jaime Jacquez, Jr. chips in 12 points and 3 assists in 15 minutes off the bench.
Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges leading the way so far at MSG!
Brunson: 27 PTS | 3 AST | 5 3PM
Bridges: 18 PTS | 4 3PM
Combined for 45 of NYK’s 66 first-half PTS 👀 pic.twitter.com/2AYx1FNp6e
— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2025
New York outscores the Heat 36-25 in the second quarter after trailing by 7 after the first 12 minutes of action.
7:08 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Nets up 10 at the break
Brooklyn’s defense has been stifling Toronto through 24 minutes, as they hold the Raptors to 40.5% shooting overall and 33.3% from 3-point range.
Michael Porter, Jr. dominates with a game-high 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3PM) to go along with 4 boards, 2 assists and a steal in 17 minutes.
how do you say “blocked” in French? https://t.co/dOT5znrRvo pic.twitter.com/wHMhhjtU81
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 22, 2025
Brandon Ingram is the only Raptor in double figures with 10 points, adding 3 boards and 3 dimes in 18 minutes.
TUFF 😤 pic.twitter.com/gM0MUiJ7Sk
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 22, 2025
6:57 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
B.I. makes this look so easy
Surrounded by Nets defenders, Brandon Ingram sinks the pretty turnaround jumper to give him a team-high 8 points, adding 2 rebounds and 3 assists in 12 minutes.
This bucket from B.I 😮💨👀 pic.twitter.com/AjarxstHPF
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 21, 2025
Michael Porter, Jr. leads Brooklyn with 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting, while Day’Ron Sharpe chips in 6 points in 10 minutes off the bench. The Nets and Raptors are tied at 34 with 4:23 remaining before halftime on League Pass.
Danny on a dime to Day 👀 pic.twitter.com/Cg0cfRjADj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 21, 2025
6:38 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Miami heating up in MSG
The Heat lead the Knicks 37-30 after 12 minutes of play, led by Kel’el Ware’s 10 points and two made 3s. Miami shoots 58.3% from the floor while connecting on 7 of their 11 3-point attempts (63.6%).
DAWG. That’s all. https://t.co/hLHibDOJA4 pic.twitter.com/JuO6Es4vNO
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 21, 2025
Jalen Brunson is doing his thing early, dropping 14 points (5-8 FG, 2-3 3PM) and 3 assists in 12 minutes.
Jalen Brunson knocks down the triple for 14 PTS in the 1Q 👌
MIA-NYK | NBA League Pass pic.twitter.com/W5j7BoeSJL
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
cap finds mitch for the JAM 🍇 pic.twitter.com/z1bmOkr9YQ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 21, 2025
6:33 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Nets-Raptors underway
Brooklyn turns defense into offense to ignite a 7-0 run early, giving them an 18-14 lead with 2:40 remaining in the opening quarter.
DEFENSE ➡️ OFFENSE@NoahClowney‘s block sparks the break and a nifty @_claxton33 finish pic.twitter.com/mf5FDFFU44
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 21, 2025
6:17 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Bulls win third straight in shootout
Chicago escapes Atlanta with a 152-150 win after Trae Young misses a potential game-tying jumper as time expires. It’s a season-high in scoring for both squads, with the Bulls shooting 20-for-42 (47.6%) on 3-pointers and the Hawks going 23-for-47 (48.9%) from distance.
BULLS SURVIVE IN THE HIGHEST-SCORING GAME OF THE SEASON SO FAR 🔥
302 COMBINED POINTS! pic.twitter.com/ycnkbY27R9
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
The Bulls finish with nine players with at least 10 points, led by Matas Buzelis with 28 points (10-11 FG, 7-8 3PM), Coby White (19 points), and Josh Giddey’s near triple-double (19 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists).
The Hawks got huge performances from Jalen Johnson (36 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists) and Trae Young (35 points, 9 assists), but it wasn’t enough to stop them from dropping their third game in a row.
5:59 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Crunch time in Atlanta!
Chicago holds a 150-147 lead with 22.8 seconds left after Trae Young (35 points) drills a corner 3. Tune in now on League Pass to see how this one finishes!
Matas in the clutch! 🎯
Buzelis is 7/8 from downtown tonight.@BuzelisMatas | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/4RLoDQmDkU
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2025
5:49 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Ant-Man locking in
Anthony Edwards gets warmed up for Minnesota’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks (7 ET, League Pass). The Timberwolves defeated the Thunder in their last outing, bringing them to 8-2 over their last 10 contests.
Ant’s getting in a groove 🕺😂
Edwards, MIN host MIL on NBA League Pass at 7pm/et! pic.twitter.com/106X5bkYUw
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
5:39 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Dosunmu dancing to the cup
Ayo Dosunmu puts Trae Young on skates before finishing at the rim, giving him 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting off Chicago’s bench.
‘Tween, cross, cross, scoop 🔥@AyoDos_11 | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/gyb5xylAjV
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2025
Nikola Vučević explodes for a vicious off-hand dunk for two of his 13 points.
Nikola Vučević attacks the paint and throws down the SLAM 💥
Bulls-Hawks in a high-powered offensive battle on NBA League Pass!
Tap to watch: https://t.co/9ATIjavIlN pic.twitter.com/jKGnywuvzs
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
The Bulls own a 124-120 lead with 7:35 remaining in this high-scoring contest.
5:25 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
One point game in ATL
Chicago is clinging to a 116-115 lead as we head to the final frame in Atlanta on League Pass. The Bulls have seven players in double figures, led by Matas Buzelis with 21 points.
We love big-to-big lobs 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3lgDKRGxIw
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 21, 2025
Trae Young is up to 24 points with 8 dimes while shooting 4-for-5 from downtown. Jalen Johnson adds 23 points, 6 boards and 6 assists.
Trae from Edgewood 📍 pic.twitter.com/5PqUHaguMn
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 21, 2025
5:12 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
JJ with the hoop and harm
Jalen Johnson has the Hawks heating up in the third quarter with his nifty finish through contact. He’s up to 23 points (8-13 FG), 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 23 minutes.
JJ is too much to handle 💪 pic.twitter.com/zh7P3AVjNz
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 21, 2025
Matas Buzelis leads Chicago with 21 points on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field with five made 3s!
MEET ME AT THE RIM. AND DON’T BE LATE.@BuzelisMatas | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/u7L4PW1czA
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2025
Matas is deeeeeep in his bag today.@BuzelisMatas | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/ifJADt2BOH
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2025
Atlanta is outscoring the Bulls 29-19 in the third, helping the Hawks tie things up at 102 with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter.
4:55 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Don’t forget to cast your All-Star votes!
Voting for your favorite NBA players count triple today!
USA vs. The World 🌍— Who you got?
NBA All-Star Voting is open, and your votes count TRIPLE today! Picking just 10 isn’t going to be easy… but I think I know who I’m voting for!
➡️ Vote on the NBA App or https://t.co/1Q80Z1k4mK
(Via jahronmon/IG) pic.twitter.com/HNJ84iO5oP
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
4:45 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Raining 3s in Atlanta
The Bulls and Hawks are locked in from deep, with both squads shooting at least 50.0% and combining to hit 24 triples through the first two quarters. Chicago scores a season-best 83 points in the first half, giving them a 10-point lead over Atlanta at halftime.
Zacch has 4 threes in the first half ⛽️⛽️⛽️⛽️ pic.twitter.com/gli7EvQ0yn
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 21, 2025
Matas Buzelis has a team-high 14 points (5-5 FG) with four made 3s, and Kevin Huerter, Isaac Okoro and Coby White all have 10 points apiece.
Matas’ 4th triple of the first half! 🔥@BuzelisMatas | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/WtLQZDpDXd
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2025
Atlanta has four players in double figures, led by Onyeka Okongwu with a game-high 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting with three made 3s.
Trae Young tallies 15 points and 7 assists while Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher add 14 points apiece. However, the Hawks trail the Bulls 83-73.
Ice Trae with the slick fake pass for an easy bucket 🧊
Tap to watch: https://t.co/9ATIjavIlN pic.twitter.com/uVGcEm0blc
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
4:15 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Okongwu cooking for Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu has a game-high 15 points in 11 minutes of play, while Vít Krejčí goes a perfect 3-for-3 from downtown for 9 points off the Hawks’ bench.
What a 1st quarter for Onyeka Okongwu!
15 PTS
6-7 FGM
3-3 3PM
The Hawks end on a 12-4 run… we’re tied up at 38-38 entering the 2nd quarter. pic.twitter.com/mgnNfIifmL
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
Atlanta and Chicago were tied at 38 after one quarter, but the Bulls have taken a 46-44 lead with 8:47 remaining before halftime.
3:57 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Bulls-Hawks trading buckets early
It’s been a high-scoring opening quarter in Atlanta, as both teams have combined for nine made 3s in just 10 minutes of play. Isaac Okoro is the high man for Chicago with 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting and two made 3s.
The Bulls come out HOT 🔥
Matas makes it 5 straight buckets to open the game! pic.twitter.com/BfQHIfW7vY
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
The Hawks are happy to get Trae Young back, who has 4 dimes already, including this highlight-reel nutmeg. Jalen Johnson starts hot with 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Onyeka Okongwu has 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
Trae’s first assist back at home is a nutmeg 🌰 pic.twitter.com/XKMAHaTgIz
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 21, 2025
Chicago holds a 34-26 edge with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter, live on League Pass!
3:15 PM / DECEMBER 21, 2025
Welcome to a 6-game Sunday on World Basketball Day!
Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets take on the Kings for the second night of a back-to-back after defeating Denver on Saturday.
The Bulls and Hawks tip off our Sunday hoops schedule with a matinee affair down in Atlanta (3:30 ET, League Pass). Chicago is trying for a third straight win while the Hawks look to snap a two-game losing skid.
Following the only afternoon game will be the Raptors and Nets, as Toronto aims to move to 3-0 on the season against Brooklyn (6 ET, League Pass).
The Heat conclude a three-game road trip against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden for the fourth and final time in 2025-26 (6 ET, League Pass). Miami is 2-1 against New York but has slowed down after a hot start, going 3-7 in their last ten outings.
San Antonio goes for a sixth consecutive victory when they visit the Washington Wizards (7 ET, League Pass), who put together a second-half rally to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday evening.
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves host the slumping Milwaukee Bucks (7 ET, League Pass). Minnesota has gone 8-2 in their last ten and are coming off of a clutch win over the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
In our last contest of the day, Houston is in Sacramento to take on the Kings with both squads suiting up on the latter half of a back-to-back (10 ET, League Pass). The Rockets took down the Nuggets in Denver, while the Kings dropped their fifth straight in a loss to Portland.