NEW YORK — The Chicago Bulls mounted a furious comeback from 20 points down in the fourth quarter and briefly took the lead with under 12 seconds remaining, only to see Michael Porter Jr.'s go-ahead layup with 5.4 seconds left lift Brooklyn to a 112-109 victory Friday night at Barclays Center.
Porter finished with 26 points, and his clutch layup completed Brooklyn's escape after the Nets had blown a 20-point fourth-quarter advantage. Brooklyn led 92-72 early in the final period before Chicago stormed back, scoring 11 consecutive points to cut the deficit to nine.
The Bulls continued clawing back throughout the fourth quarter, eventually taking a 109-108 lead on Tre Jones' layup with just 11.4 seconds remaining. But Brooklyn executed perfectly on the ensuing possession, getting Porter the ball near the basket for the game-winning score.
Chicago's subsequent inbound pass was stolen by rookie Drake Powell, and Nic Claxton's two free throws made it 112-109 with 3.6 seconds left. Nikola Vucevic's rushed 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sealing Brooklyn's win and snapping their five-game losing streak.
The loss drops Chicago to 19-22 overall and 7-13 on the road. Despite the valiant comeback attempt, the Bulls couldn't quite complete the rally, falling just short in what would have been one of the season's most impressive road victories.
The 20-Point Deficit Chicago Nearly Erased
Brooklyn appeared to have the game under complete control for three-plus quarters. The Nets built a 42-38 halftime lead into a 17-point advantage by intermission after a dominant second quarter that featured a 15-0 run. That cushion grew even larger in the third quarter, and when Cam Thomas hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth period, Brooklyn led 92-72—a commanding 20-point margin.
Then the Bulls woke up.
Chicago's defense suddenly tightened, forcing Brooklyn into uncomfortable situations. The Bulls scored 11 consecutive points to make it 92-83, cutting what had seemed like an insurmountable lead to single digits. Though Thomas hit another three to briefly stem the tide, Chicago's momentum was undeniable.
The Bulls continued their surge throughout the fourth quarter, slowly but surely chipping away at Brooklyn's advantage. Chicago's ball movement improved, generating quality looks that had been absent earlier. Defensively, the Bulls started contesting every shot and crashing the boards with renewed energy.
With under a minute remaining, Brooklyn still led 108-102—a six-point cushion that should have been enough. But Chicago scored the next seven points, capped by Jones' driving layup with 11.4 seconds left that gave the Bulls their first lead since early in the second quarter.
The comeback was stunning in its totality. Chicago had trailed by 20 points with 11:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Just over 11 minutes later, they led 109-108 with the game on the line—one defensive stop away from completing one of the season's most improbable road victories.
They didn't get that stop.
Porter and Clowney Lead Brooklyn's Narrow Escape
Michael Porter Jr. finished with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range. His perfect 3-for-3 night at the free-throw line included the game-sealing makes after his go-ahead layup. Porter played 32 minutes and added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. His clutch gene shone brightest when Brooklyn desperately needed a bucket—the game-winning layup with 5.4 seconds left salvaged what had nearly become a devastating blown lead.
| Michael Porter Jr. Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Points | 26 |
| Field Goals | 9-17 (52.9%) |
| 3-Pointers | 5-10 (50.0%) |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Minutes | 32 |
Noah Clowney delivered a breakout performance with 23 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. The rookie forward shot 7-of-17 from the field and knocked down 4-of-7 three-pointers. His plus-8 rating reflected how effectively Brooklyn controlled the game when he was on the court. Clowney's energy provided the spark Brooklyn desperately needed during their five-game skid, even if the final minutes nearly saw it all slip away.
| Noah Clowney Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Points | 23 |
| 3-Pointers | 4-7 (57.1%) |
| Free Throws | 5-6 (83.3%) |
| Rebounds | 11 |
| Plus/Minus | +8 |
| Minutes | 28 |
Vucevic, Dosunmu Lead Bulls' Valiant Effort
Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting in 33 minutes. The veteran center added six rebounds and five assists with just one turnover. Vucevic's efficiency kept Chicago competitive early, but his inability to manufacture the final crucial bucket stung in a game decided by three points.
Nikola Vucevic : 19 points (9-14 shooting & 1-3 from 3), 6 rebounds, 5 assists & 2 blocks in 33 minutes pic.twitter.com/sn5aPUMDS5
— Lee Harvey (@Sayian_Warrior) January 17, 2026
Ayo Dosunmu provided a major spark with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench. His plus-zero rating indicated he was on the court during balanced stretches, but his offensive production was crucial during Chicago's fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Ayo Dosunmu : 18 points on 7-10 shooting & 4-5 from the FT line in 20 minutes off the bench pic.twitter.com/pmbGaGIn6z
— Lee Harvey (@Sayian_Warrior) January 17, 2026
Coby White contributed 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting with four assists, while Matas Buzelis added 15 points despite struggling from the field at 4-for-15. Jalen Smith grabbed a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, providing crucial energy on the glass. Tre Jones finished with 11 points and five assists, including the go-ahead layup that briefly gave Chicago hope.
| Bulls Role Players | Points | Rebounds | Other Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coby White | 17 | - | 4 assists, 7-15 FG |
| Matas Buzelis | 15 | - | 4-15 FG |
| Jalen Smith | 14 | 13 | Double-double |
| Tre Jones | 11 | - | 5 assists, 5-9 FG |
The Fourth Quarter Told Two Stories
The final 12 minutes crystallized into a tale of two collapses—Brooklyn's near-meltdown and Chicago's inability to finish.
The final minute crystallized Brooklyn's near-collapse. Leading 108-102 with under 60 seconds remaining, the Nets needed just one defensive stop or one good possession to ice the game. Instead, they allowed Chicago to score seven consecutive points, culminating in Jones' go-ahead layup.
TRE FOR THE LEAD.@Tre3Jones | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/kS2389oXdB
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 17, 2026
Porter's game-winner came on a beautifully designed play. Brooklyn ran a pick-and-roll action that cleared out the left side, getting Porter a favorable matchup attacking the rim. He absorbed contact, finished through it, and got the and-one opportunity (though he missed the free throw). Powell's steal on the ensuing inbound pass sealed it—Claxton's two makes from the line put it out of reach.
For Chicago, the late collapse was agonizing but also emblematic of deeper issues. The Bulls fought back admirably, showing resilience that had been missing earlier in the season. But the inability to get a crucial defensive stop when the game was on the line highlighted why they're fighting for playoff positioning rather than seeding.
Three-Point Shooting Decided the Game
The numbers tell a clear story: Brooklyn shot 19-of-40 from three-point range (47.5%), while Chicago managed just 11-of-35 (31.4%). That differential of eight made threes translated directly to 24 points—more than enough to account for the final three-point margin.
| Three-Point Shooting | FG-FGA | Percentage | Points from 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | 19-40 | 47.5% | 57 points |
| Chicago Bulls | 11-35 | 31.4% | 33 points |
| Differential | +8 makes | +16.1% | +24 points |
Brooklyn's perimeter execution was especially lethal in the first three quarters when they built their lead. Porter's five threes led the way, but Clowney's four triples off the bench provided crucial spacing. Even when Chicago tightened defensively in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn's earlier three-point barrage had already done the damage.
Chicago's three-point struggles weren't for lack of attempts—35 attempts represent a healthy volume. But the Bulls simply couldn't find rhythm from deep. White hit just 2-of-6, Buzelis made 3-of-9, and the team collectively bricked open looks that could have turned the game earlier. In a modern NBA where three-point shooting often determines outcomes, Chicago's 31.4% simply wasn't competitive against Brooklyn's 47.5%.
What It Means
For Brooklyn (19-22), this win was oxygen for a struggling franchise. The Nets had dropped five straight and were in freefall before Porter's heroics. While nearly blowing a 20-point lead isn't ideal, escaping with a victory—any victory—matters more than style points when you're hemorrhaging losses.
For Chicago (19-22), the loss stings in multiple ways. The Bulls showed genuine fight and resilience, qualities that have been inconsistent this season. But moral victories don't count in the standings, and close losses are piling up for a team that desperately needs wins to stay in the play-in picture. The Eastern Conference is bunched tightly in the middle, and games like this—winnable road contests against similarly positioned teams—are exactly the ones Chicago needs to steal.
The Bulls' fourth-quarter performance demonstrated they have the talent to compete when locked in. The inability to sustain that intensity for 48 minutes, or to execute in the final 30 seconds, remains the difference between playoff team and play-in participant.
Brooklyn gets a much-needed confidence boost heading into their next stretch. Chicago heads home wondering what might have been if they'd played with fourth-quarter urgency from the opening tip. But in the NBA, there is no record for 'close'. Only wins, and losses.