Red-hot Bulls erase 24-point deficit, stun 76ers on Vucevic’s late three
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CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls wiped out a 24-point hole and edged the Philadelphia 76ers 113-111 on Tuesday night when Nikola Vucevic buried a corner 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds left, marking the NBA’s largest comeback victory of the season.
Chicago moved to 6-1, matching the franchise’s best start since 2021-22. Josh Giddey powered the rally with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, logging his second straight triple-double and becoming the first Bull with back-to-back triple-doubles since Michael Jordan.
“Tonight was one of the best wins that I’ve ever been a part of,” Giddey said. “To gut that one out and dig ourselves out of the hole that we did was unbelievable.”
Vucevic finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and six Bulls reached double figures. Chicago’s surge spoiled a 39-point effort from Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid scored 20 in 25 minutes but went 1-for-10 after halftime as Philadelphia fell to 4-2.
Early dominance slips away
The 76ers controlled the opening quarter 45-27 and led by as many as 22 in the second half. Bulls coach Billy Donovan called timeout with 14 seconds remaining after a Giddey turnover on the previous trip, opting to script the final possession.
Vucevic said he left the huddle unsure of his exact spot on the floor. “I asked, ‘Hey coach, where do I go after I set the screen?’ He was like, just go to the corner,” the veteran center recalled. Giddey drove again, found Vucevic beyond the arc, and the 15-year pro delivered Chicago’s first — and only — lead of the night.
Looking ahead
Chicago’s fast start includes victories over the Knicks, Hawks, Magic, Pistons and now the Sixers. Vucevic cautioned that slow beginnings can’t become a habit. “It’s important that we understand this is not how you become a good team by getting down 20 and then waking up,” he said. “We have to do this for 48 minutes.”
Source: ESPN
