Vucevic’s Clutch Layup Propels Bulls to Thrilling 128-126 Victory Over Jazz, Pushing Toward .500 Mark… Read More….
CHICAGO — In a heart-pounding finish that had United Center fans on their feet, Nikola Vučević delivered a game-winning layup with just four seconds remaining, lifting the Chicago Bulls to a dramatic 128-126 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, January 14, 2026.
The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 19-21, keeping them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt as they inch closer to the elusive .500 mark. With a tough road matchup against the struggling Brooklyn Nets looming on Friday, January 16, Chicago is positioning itself for a potential breakthrough in what has been a rollercoaster season.
Vučević was the hero of the night, finishing with a team-high 35 points, including the decisive score off a precise assist from Tre Jones. The veteran big man added seven rebounds, five assists, and two three-pointers, showcasing his all-around impact in a contest that featured multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter. “We stayed composed, and when it mattered, we executed,” Vučević said postgame. “That’s what good teams do.”
The Bulls overcame a career-night from Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh, who erupted for a personal-best 43 points on efficient shooting, keeping the Jazz competitive throughout. Despite Sensabaugh’s heroics, Chicago’s defense tightened in the closing minutes, forcing key misses and capitalizing on transition opportunities.
Ayo Dosunmu provided valuable support with 15 points (6-of-11 shooting), six assists, and three steals, helping orchestrate the offense during critical stretches. The Bulls’ bench contributed timely scoring, while their rebounding edge in the paint proved pivotal against a young Jazz squad.
The game was a microcosm of Chicago’s season: moments of brilliance mixed with defensive lapses, but ultimately resilience shining through. Coming off a narrow loss to the Houston Rockets on January 13 (113-119), the Bulls showed character in rallying from deficits and sealing the deal late.
For the Jazz (14-26), the defeat highlighted ongoing struggles despite flashes of potential from their young core. Sensabaugh’s outburst offered hope, but turnovers and late-game execution issues cost them dearly on the road.
As attention turns to Friday’s matchup at Barclays Center against Brooklyn (11-27), the Bulls have a golden opportunity. The Nets enter on a five-game losing streak, making this an ideal chance for Chicago to build momentum in a home-and-home series (with the return leg on January 18 in Chicago). A win would push them to 20-21, edging ever closer to even and boosting morale ahead of a challenging stretch featuring games against the Clippers, Timberwolves, Celtics, and Lakers.
Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about Vučević’s leadership and the team’s growing cohesion. With Josh Giddey leading the squad in scoring (19.2 PPG) and assists (9.0 APG) this season, and Dosunmu providing defensive tenacity, the Bulls appear poised for a late-season surge.
In a league where every game counts, nights like Wednesday remind Bulls Nation why hope persists. The road to the playoffs is never easy, but clutch performances like Vučević’s keep the dream alive.
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