Nikola Vucevic helps Bulls secure 132-118 win over Warriors

Nikola Vučević ties career-high 43 points vs. Warriors

Nikola Vucevic scored 43 points to help the Chicago Bulls end their 11-game losing streak against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. It was the first time the Bulls defeated the Warriors since March 2, 2017.

The Bulls, winning by 132-118, were the underdogs in the home game. That said, in the first quarter, Vucevic scored 12 points and led the Bulls to a 17-point lead early in the game. However, by the second quarter, the Warriors’ 42 outscored the Bulls’ 24. At halftime, Golden State was leading by 62-59.

“Tonight what I thought really made a difference, the reason why I was able to get going was because we really moved the ball,”

Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls player

Later in the third quarter, Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan left the game due to a quadricep strain, further pushing Vucevic to give his all. By the end of the third quarter, the Bulls took the lead over the Warriors with 92-86 on the scoreboard. In the fourth quarter, Vucevic scored another 18 points and carried his team to victory, ending the game with the final score of 132-118.

Vucevic finished the game with 43 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals. He also scored exactly 43 points on February 2, 2021, when he played against the Bulls for the Orlando Magic.

Vucevic shot 18 out of 31 in the overall game, with five of them being three-pointers. His consecutive three-pointers gave the Bulls the necessary 100-88 lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Vucevic to play more offense, Bulls heading to Paris

After the game, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said he would like to tap into Vucevic’s unexplored potential and have him play more offense in future games.

“Even if he didn’t score, I think it’s important that he’s engaged in the game for us, offensively,” Donovan said.

On Thursday, the Bulls will play their third game in Paris, having played two preseason games there in 1997. This time, they will play against the Detroit Pistons. It also will be the NBA’s first game in Europe since 2020.

“Paris is a great city. Fans really love the game of basketball there. They’re really into the NBA, and I think the Bulls will have a huge following because of the ’90s Bulls,” Vucevic said.