Chicago Bulls Secure Stunning 117-106 Upset Over Minnesota Timberwolves Behind Stellar Bench Performance
The Chicago Bulls grabbed their second consecutive win by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-106 on Saturday night, despite playing the second half of a back-to-back without key frontcourt players.
🧠AI AnalysisPhoto: si.com
Key points
- Chicago defeated Minnesota 117-106 on the road
- The Bulls bench outscored the Timberwolves reserves 50-33
- Patrick Williams and Buddy Hield each scored 14-plus points off the bench
The Chicago Bulls pulled off a remarkable 117-106 upset victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Saturday night. Coming off an overtime battle the previous night, the visiting Bulls played without sidelined frontcourt pieces Jalen Smith and Nic Claxton. Facing a Minnesota squad boasting the league's top defensive rating, Chicago managed to turn the contest into a trap game.
Once again, the Chicago second unit paved the way to victory, overwhelming the hosts with a massive 50-33 advantage in bench points. Patrick Williams, Buddy Hield, and Tre Jones each contributed 14 or more points, anchoring a sharp offensive effort. Williams provided a crucial three-pointer in the final minutes to cement the lead, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals in 25 minutes of action. Hield added precise perimeter shooting, converting four of his six attempts from beyond the arc.
Minnesota struggled to capitalize on its depth advantages as LaMelo Ball endured a tough shooting night, going 7-25 from the field and 4-19 from deep. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was held to just a single point on 0-7 shooting across 27 minutes of play, failing to exploit Chicago's depleted frontcourt. Ayo Dosunmu led a third-quarter push with 14 points in the frame, but the Timberwolves could not overcome their poor shooting stretches.
What to watch next: The Bulls look to extend their mini-winning streak as they build momentum early in the season.
Source si.com — si.com/nba/bulls/onsi/2-reasons-the-bulls-stunned-the-timberwolves-… ↗
Read next
⚽Soccer in the USWill Joseph shines with five-try performance in England’s rout of Japan
Will Joseph marked his return to the England rugby squad with a record-equalling five tries in a dominant 78-15 victory over Japan at Twickenham.
🎓College SportsSolon Secures Thrilling Triple-Overtime Victory to Reach Iowa Class 3A Title Game
Solon defeated Algona 45-44 in a high-stakes triple-overtime semifinal, while Des Moines Christian punched its first-ever ticket to the state championship.
⚽Soccer in the USPortugal Suffers Historic Home Defeat in First Match Following Cristiano Ronaldo's International Retirement
Portugal suffered its heaviest competitive home defeat in 105 years, falling 4-1 to Denmark in its first match since Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement.
🏈NFLCiryl Gane Retains Heavyweight Title as Kayla Harrison Claims Bantamweight Gold at UFC 334
Ciryl Gane successfully defended his heavyweight title against Josh Hokit, while Kayla Harrison secured the bantamweight championship with a submission victory over Amand…
⚽Soccer in the USRafa Márquez Faces Historic Winless Streak as Mexico Manager
Rafa Márquez has entered the top five list of worst starts for a Mexican national team manager after failing to win any of his first five matches.
🧠AI AnalysisCiryl Gane Outlasts Josh Hokit at UFC 334 to Retain Heavyweight Title
Ciryl Gane secured a unanimous decision victory over Josh Hokit in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden, successfully defending his heavyweight crown.