The Chicago Bulls returned to their high-flying, transition-dominant best on Saturday night, overwhelming the Dallas Mavericks 125-107 at United Center to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bulls never trailed and turned fast-break opportunities into a decisive advantage, outscoring Dallas 38-8 in transition points.
Coby White led the charge with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while Ayo Dosunmu continued his scorching stretch with 20 points, eight assists, and four steals. The win improved Chicago's record to 18-20 and represented exactly what this Bulls team looks like at its best.
Bulls' Balanced Attack Overwhelms Dallas
The Bulls put seven players in double figures, showcasing the balanced offensive attack that defines this roster. White's 22 points led the way, but Dosunmu's all-around performance proved equally crucial.
Dosunmu, who extended his season-high double-digit scoring streak to eight games, shot an efficient 7-of-9 from the field while dishing eight assists. His buzzer-beating layup to close the third quarter epitomized the Bulls' relentless attacking style.
Nikola Vucevic added 15 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, dominating inside against a Mavericks defense that gives up the most points in the paint per game. Rookie Matas Buzelis chipped in 15 points of his own in an impressive showing.
TEAM DUB. https://t.co/xB4MnuwsT8 pic.twitter.com/wgyedOsk7k
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 11, 2026
Cooper Flagg's Rough Night
The much-anticipated matchup featuring Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, turned into a frustrating evening for the young star. Flagg managed just 11 points and one rebound while shooting 4-of-13 from the field.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Flagg looked out of sorts all night as he dealt with the Bulls' physicality. "Twice in the fourth quarter, Flagg was just unable to catch the ball. He looked out of sorts all night long as he dealt with the Bulls' physicality. In the first half, he was almost pleading with the refs for foul calls. He wore his frustration on his face with every miss and call he felt he deserved but didn't get."
Buzelis, who drew the primary defensive assignment, showed respect for his fellow rookie after the game. "I think I did decent. [Flagg] struggled a little bit tonight, but he's a great player. He's gonna bounce back," Buzelis said.
Ryan Nembhard led Dallas with 16 points and six assists, but the Mavericks got little help beyond that.
Jason Kidd Ejected Early
The Mavericks' difficult night started early when head coach Jason Kidd was ejected midway through the first quarter for arguing with referee Scott Foster. Kidd appeared frustrated he wasn't allowed to challenge a goaltending call against Max Christie. Foster called two technical fouls and tossed Kidd, leaving Dallas without their head coach for most of the game while trailing by eight at the end of the first quarter.
Anthony Davis Injury Looms Large
Dallas was already short-handed entering the game, as star forward Anthony Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand during Thursday's loss to Utah. Davis, who posted 21 points and 11 rebounds before leaving that game late in the fourth quarter, underwent an MRI on Friday and is seeking multiple opinions on the injury.
According to ESPN's report, Davis would miss at least six weeks if surgery is avoided.
How Chicago Dominated
The Bulls' success stemmed from controlling the glass and pushing the pace. As the Sun-Times noted, "The key to their success was their rebounding. To play the high-octane style that they have been their best at, they have to force miscues from other teams. Controlling the glass allowed the Bulls to run their offense against a non-set defense."
Chicago established control early, jumping out to a 36-28 lead after the first quarter and never looking back. A 13-2 run extended a seven-point lead to 59-41 on Buzelis' fast-break layup late in the second quarter.
The Bulls put the game away in the fourth quarter with a devastating 21-4 surge that turned a 10-point game into a 115-88 lead, their biggest of the night. According to the Sun-Times, the Bulls had 101 points at the 9:56 mark of the fourth quarter despite shooting just 32.6% from three-point range.
White emphasized the team's approach after the game. "We understand how we need to play in order to win. Tonight [that] was just [playing] fast and half court, share the ball, move the ball, and then defensively, just try to be as disruptive as we can," White said.
Bulls' Identity Shines Through
Saturday's performance showcased what the Bulls are built to do. As the Sun-Times explained, "The Bulls are built to be a team that has multiple double-digit scorers every night. They don't have that one star that they can rely on."
That balanced approach, combined with relentless ball movement and transition opportunities, produced one of Chicago's most complete performances of the season. The Bulls benefited from an offensive attack that kept the ball moving, creating endless scoring chances for each other.
Dallas, meanwhile, entered the night with the third-worst offensive rating in the NBA and never found any rhythm against Chicago's active defense.
The Final Score
Bulls 125, Mavericks 107
Chicago improved to 18-20 (11-9 at home) while Dallas fell to 14-25 (4-15 on the road), losing their second straight after winning two in a row.
What's Next
The Bulls (18-20) will look to build on this momentum when they visit Houston on Tuesday. Chicago sits third in the Central Division, 10 games behind division-leading Detroit.
Dallas (14-25) will try to regroup when they host Brooklyn on Monday. The Mavericks sit fourth in the Southwest Division, 13.5 games behind San Antonio.
For a Bulls team that's been searching for consistency all season, Saturday's performance was a reminder of just how dangerous they can be when everything clicks. The question now is whether they can build on it.