Bulls surge late as Sixers stumble to open road trip in Chicago
So here’s how this one played out in Chicago, and honestly, it felt like a familiar story if you’ve watched the Sixers lately. For most of Friday night, Philadelphia looked in control. The lead was held, the energy was there, and the game seemed manageable. But when it mattered most, the Bulls took over, and the Sixers simply didn’t have an answer down the stretch.
The game opened the Sixers’ five-game road trip, and it started on a positive note. Three key rotation players — VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, and Quentin Grimes — were back after missing the previous game due to illness. Their presence was felt immediately. The Sixers came out aggressive, forced turnovers, crashed the glass, and jumped to a quick 13-2 lead. Early hustle plays, second-chance points, and defensive pressure gave Philadelphia a strong foundation, even though outside shooting was shaky from the start.
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Tyrese Maxey hit the first jumper of the night but struggled early, missing several shots in a row. Still, the Sixers managed to stay ahead by dominating the offensive boards. Joel Embiid was efficient and assertive, and Paul George quietly made a big impact by rebounding at a level not seen from him in years. By halftime, the Sixers had weathered their shooting issues and stayed competitive through effort and size.
Chicago, though, kept hanging around, largely because of its bench. When the Sixers’ stars rested, the Bulls’ second unit pounced. Open looks were created, defensive breakdowns were exposed, and momentum swung quickly. The Bulls’ depth became a major factor as points piled up from multiple contributors, while Philadelphia struggled to get anything meaningful from its own bench.
Still, heading into the fourth quarter, the Sixers held an 85-81 lead. It felt like one of those games that would come down to execution in the final minutes. With under three minutes to play, Embiid scored in the post to give Philadelphia a 102-99 advantage. That’s when everything unraveled.
From that moment on, the Bulls closed the game on a 10-0 run. Big plays were made, hustle plays were won, and confidence shifted entirely to the home side. A powerful dunk, a tough step-back three, and multiple offensive rebounds by Chicago sealed the outcome. Meanwhile, the Sixers looked rushed, disconnected, and unsure on offense. Stops weren’t made, and the composure just wasn’t there.
When the final buzzer sounded, Chicago had secured a 109-102 win, extending its winning streak to five games. The Bulls moved back to .500, while the Sixers were left with another frustrating late-game collapse. It was a reminder that strong starts and star performances don’t mean much if execution disappears when the pressure is highest.
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