The Chicago Bulls dropped a heartbreaker 150-147 in double overtime to the Utah Jazz on Sunday, November 16, 2025 — a game that felt like two seasons worth of frustration rolled into one. The loss extended their skid to four straight, but the real story wasn’t just the score. It was Coby White, 24, finally back on the court after missing the entire 2025-2026 season with a calf strain. He didn’t just play — he attacked. Fourteen trips to the free throw line. Aggressive drives. Raw, unfiltered energy. And yet, it wasn’t enough.
White’s Return: Rust, Fire, and 14 Free Throws
Coby White entered the game under a 20- to 24-minute restriction. He played 31. And it wasn’t because the coach lost control. It was because White refused to let the moment pass him by. He slashed, he pulled up, he drew fouls. His 14 free throws were the most by a Bull this season — and the most by any player in the NBA since December 2024. "He looked like he never left," said CHGO analyst Peck. "The footwork, the hesitation moves — it was all there. Just missing that final polish in the clutch." But here’s the twist: White wasn’t the only one making noise. Josh Giddey, 22, returned after sitting out the last two games and delivered a triple-double: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists. Yet, two layups in the final 90 seconds — both clean looks, both wide open — clanged off the rim. "It happens," said Will Gottlieb. "I’m not blaming Josh. But in a game this tight, those are the shots you need to make."The Jazz That Shouldn’t Have Won
The Utah Jazz entered the game 5-8. They’re not a contender. Not even close. Yet here they were, outlasting a Bulls team with more talent, more depth, more urgency. Lauri Markkanen, 27, the former Bull turned Jazz cornerstone, dropped 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting. Keyonte George, 20, the rookie guard with the icy veins, hit a step-back three with 14 seconds left in the second overtime — the dagger. "This Jazz team is better than last year," said Big Dave. "But they’re still not a good team. They shouldn’t have won this. Not against this Bulls squad. Not with this much on the line." And yet, they did. Because Chicago’s defense — again — broke down when it mattered most. Players stood still as drives came at them. No closeouts. No urgency. "Too many instances of players just standing around," Big Dave repeated. "You can’t do that in a game like this."Controversy on the Final Possession
The most debated moment came with 12 seconds left in regulation. Bulls down one. Time running out. Giddey isolated on the left wing. No screen. No off-ball movement. Just him vs. a defender who knew exactly what was coming. "Why not an off-ball play for White? Or a PNR with Vucevic?" a YouTube commenter wrote. "It’s 2025. We know how to run plays." Gottlieb defended it: "I didn’t have a problem with it. Giddey’s got the ball in his hands. He’s earned the right. He’s got the size. He’s got the vision. He just missed two layups. That’s basketball." But here’s what nobody said: White had been warming up in the locker room for 15 minutes before the final possession. He was ready. He was screaming for the ball. And it never came.
The Energy Was There — But Not the Execution
The Bulls showed more fight than they had in weeks. Matas Buzelis, 20, got extended minutes in the fourth quarter and made three key defensive stops. The bench was loud. The crowd — even if it was in an unspecified arena — was electric. They forced a jump ball late in regulation to avoid fouling — a rare, smart play. They executed a perfect drive to send it to overtime. But execution in the final minutes? That’s where they still fail. "The energy was much better than against the Pistons," Peck admitted. "But energy doesn’t win games. Composure does. And the Bulls still don’t have that in the closing minutes."What’s Next for Chicago?
The Bulls now sit at 4-10. The Eastern Conference is brutal. The Knicks, Celtics, and Heat are all playing at a higher level. The Pistons? They’re 1-12. And yet, Chicago lost to a 6-8 Jazz team that has no business beating them. Coach Billy Donovan, 59, is under more pressure than ever. His rotations are being questioned. His late-game decisions are under a microscope. And with White back, the team’s ceiling should be higher — not lower. The next game? Against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. A win there might save Donovan’s season. A loss? The calls for change will become deafening.
Behind the Numbers
- Coby White: 27 points, 5 assists, 14 free throws made (NBA season high)
- Josh Giddey: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists — triple-double, but 0-for-2 on late layups
- Lauri Markkanen: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists — 12-of-20 shooting
- Keyonte George: 24 points, 6 assists — hit the game-sealing three in second OT
- Bulls’ free throw percentage: 83% (30-of-36) — one of the best in the league this season
- Jazz’s bench scoring: 47 points — 18 from George, 12 from Walker Kessler
It’s not about talent. It’s about timing. And the Bulls are still running out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Coby White play so many minutes despite his injury history?
Coach Billy Donovan initially planned to limit White to 20–24 minutes as a precaution, but his impact — especially his ability to draw fouls and create offense — forced a change. With the game tied and White showing no signs of discomfort, Donovan kept him in. He played 31 minutes, and while he looked rusty early, his late-game aggression proved vital. The team’s medical staff confirmed he showed no adverse reaction post-game.
What’s the significance of Josh Giddey missing those two layups?
Giddey’s triple-double masked a troubling trend: his inability to finish at the rim in high-leverage moments. He’s taken 17 shots in the paint in the last three games and converted only six. That’s a 35% conversion rate — well below league average for players his size. In a game decided by three points, those two misses weren’t just mistakes — they were symbolic of Chicago’s larger clutch problem.
Why did the Bulls’ defense collapse in overtime?
The Bulls’ perimeter defenders consistently over-helped on drives, leaving shooters open. In the second overtime, Keyonte George got open three times because no one rotated. Analysts noted that the team’s defensive rotations were slower than any game this season. The issue isn’t talent — it’s communication. With White back and Giddey playing heavy minutes, the team’s defensive chemistry is still being rebuilt.
How does this loss affect Chicago’s playoff chances?
The Bulls are now 4-10, tied for 13th in the East. The 8th seed currently sits at 8-6. To make the playoffs, they need to win nearly 70% of their remaining games — a near-impossible climb. Even with White healthy, the team lacks depth, defensive discipline, and consistent scoring beyond their starters. A win against Indiana is now critical — anything less could signal the end of their season.
What role did Matas Buzelis play in this game?
Buzelis, who had averaged just 8 minutes per game in the previous four contests, saw 16 minutes in the second half — including all 12 minutes of overtime. He recorded 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks, including a crucial stop on Markkanen in the first overtime. His energy and length helped offset the Bulls’ size issues. His increased role suggests Donovan is testing him as a potential long-term defensive solution.
Is there a pattern to the Bulls’ late-game failures?
Yes. In their last five losses, the Bulls have averaged just 4.2 points in the final 2 minutes of regulation or overtime. They’ve taken 17 shots in those moments — only 4 were assisted. That’s isolation basketball, and it’s failing. Against the Jazz, they had five possessions in the final 90 seconds and scored just 3 points. The playbook is there — execution isn’t.