Bulls Rally Falls Short as Nets Survive 112–109 in Brooklyn in a dramatic Eastern Conference battle, the Chicago Bulls came within inches of stealing a road win, but the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 112–109 victory at the Barclays Center.

Bulls Rally Falls Short as Nets Survive 112–109 in Brooklyn

In a dramatic Eastern Conference battle on January 16, 2026, the Chicago Bulls came within inches of stealing a road win, but the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 112–109 victory at the Barclays Center.

A furious late comeback by Chicago fell just short when Michael Porter Jr. delivered the game-winning layup with 5.4 seconds remaining, preserving Brooklyn’s lead in a tightly contested matchup.

Nets Take Early Control Behind Balanced Scoring

Brooklyn jumped out to an early advantage in the first half, showing offensive balance and spacing that kept the Bulls’ defense off rhythm. Michael Porter Jr. led all scorers with 26 points, attacking closeouts and sinking timely jumpers, while Noah Clowney added 23 points and 11 rebounds to anchor the interior and give Brooklyn second-chance opportunities.

The Nets’ supporting cast also made key contributions. Rookie Danny Wolf and center Day’Ron Sharpe provided instant offense off the bench, allowing Brooklyn to maintain scoring depth even when starters rested. Their bench production proved crucial in sustaining multiple early leads against Chicago’s surge.

Story continues below.

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Bulls Mount Spectacular Fourth-Quarter Rally

Chicago’s offense came alive in the fourth quarter as the Bulls refused to go away quietly. Trailing by as many as 20 points, the Bulls launched a furious comeback behind timely buckets from veterans and emerging stars alike. Nikola Vučević scored 19 points, showing his scoring versatility, while Ayo Dosunmu (18 points) and Coby White (17 points) drained shots that kept Chicago within striking distance.

The Bulls capped their rally when Tre Jones hit a tough layup with 11.4 seconds left to give Chicago a brief 109–108 lead, igniting the United Center-like energy just across the river. Chicago’s defensive urgency and offensive flow in crunch time showcased the team’s resilience and determination.

Porter Jr. Seals It — Bulls Come Up Just Short

Despite the Bulls’ surge, the Nets executed in the final possession. After a Brooklyn timeout, Porter Jr. drove the lane for the go-ahead score, and Drake Powell snagged a crucial steal on the inbounds play. With the clock winding down, Brooklyn iced the game at the free-throw line, and a last-second three-point attempt by Vučević rimmed out, sealing the 112–109 outcome.

What This Means for Chicago

The Bulls’ near comeback loss to the Nets highlights both Chicago’s offensive potential and ongoing struggles with defensive consistency and slow starts.

While Chicago has shown it can compete with any opponent and erase large deficits, closing mid-season games remains a growth area for the team as they pursue a playoff berth in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.