Charlotte Hornets defeats Chicago Bulls 131-99
Game Review: Hornets Sting Bulls in Dominant Road Victory
The Charlotte Hornets delivered a resounding performance on Tuesday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 131-99 at the United Center on February 24th, 2026. A blistering third quarter propelled the Hornets to a comfortable lead they would not relinquish, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive intensity. This victory marks a significant win for Charlotte as they continue their push in the 2025 regular season.
Game Flow
The first quarter saw a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and establishing a quick pace. The Bulls came out strong, feeding off their home crowd, but the Hornets responded with efficient shooting from beyond the arc. Q1: 31-31. The second quarter continued the tight contest, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. Charlotte marginally outscored Chicago, but the game remained within a possession. Q2: 24-25.
However, the script dramatically flipped in the third quarter. The Hornets exploded for a phenomenal 42 points, completely dismantling the Bulls' defense. An overwhelming offensive surge, coupled with aggressive rebounding and forced turnovers, allowed Charlotte to build a commanding lead. Chicago struggled to find any rhythm, shooting poorly and committing costly errors. Q3: 16-42. The fourth quarter was largely a formality. Despite a slight uptick in scoring for the Bulls, the Hornets maintained their dominance, controlling the tempo and extending their advantage. Both teams utilized their benches extensively in the final period. Q4: 28-33. The Hornets’ third quarter outburst proved to be the decisive factor, ultimately sealing their impressive victory.
Highlight Players
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with a stellar performance, finishing with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. Ball orchestrated the offense with precision, making smart passes and hitting difficult shots. His ability to control the game’s pace and create opportunities for his teammates was instrumental in Charlotte’s success.
Miles Bridges provided a significant scoring punch off the bench, contributing 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Bridges was particularly effective driving to the basket and finishing through contact, consistently drawing fouls and converting on second-chance opportunities. His energy and athleticism injected a spark into the Hornets’ offense.
For the Bulls, Coby White was the leading scorer with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. White attempted to carry the offensive load for Chicago, but his efforts were ultimately insufficient in the face of Charlotte’s overwhelming performance. He showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 8-of-22 from the field.
Team Stats Breakdown
The Hornets’ victory was underpinned by their superior shooting efficiency and rebounding prowess. Charlotte shot an impressive FG% 57.1% from the field, compared to the Bulls’ 41.9%. Points in the paint favored Charlotte 68-44, demonstrating their ability to attack the basket effectively. Rebounds were also heavily in Charlotte’s favor, securing 52 rebounds compared to Chicago’s 38.
Assists were nearly even, with the Hornets racking up 31 assists to the Bulls’ 27. However, turnovers proved crucial, as Charlotte committed only 12 turnovers compared to Chicago’s 18. This differential resulted in 15 points off turnovers for the Hornets. Charlotte also demonstrated their three-point proficiency, shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc (15 of 39) while the Bulls struggled, hitting just 29.6% (8 of 27). The Hornets also dominated the fast break points, outscoring the Bulls 28-12. The Bulls' bench was outscored 48-26 by Charlotte’s reserves.
Next Game Preview
The Chicago Bulls will look to bounce back from this disappointing loss when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on February 26th, 2026. The Bulls will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their shooting consistency to secure a victory against a tough Blazers team. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT at the United Center. The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off a close win against the Minnesota Timberwolves and will pose a significant challenge for the Bulls.