The Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz delivered one of the most exhausting, electrifying games of the 2025-26 NBA season on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. In a 150-147 double-overtime thriller, the Jazz escaped with a win thanks to a cold-blooded three-pointer from 21-year-old guard Keyonte George with just 0.8 seconds left. But the real story wasn’t just the final buzzer—it was the injury chaos, the improbable returns, and the sheer physical toll on both teams.
A Game That Broke Bodies and Records
It wasn’t just a game. It was a war. Two overtimes. 300 combined points. Eight players fouled out. The pace was relentless. Lauri Markkanen, the 26-year-old Jazz forward and former Bull, turned in a career-defining performance: 47 points, seven rebounds, six three-pointers. That’s the third time in franchise history he’s cracked 45+ points with five+ threes—joining only Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanović. He didn’t just play through pain; he weaponized it. Earlier in the week, there were whispers he might sit with a wrist contusion. He didn’t just play—he dominated.Meanwhile, Josh Giddey, the 22-year-old Bulls playmaker, turned in his 21st career triple-double: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists. He’s now the third Bull ever with 10+ triple-doubles, trailing only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. His court vision was hypnotic. His endurance, remarkable. But he wasn’t even supposed to be on the floor. Just days before, he was listed as QUESTIONABLE with a right ankle injury. He played 48 minutes.
And then there was Coby White. The 25-year-old guard, sidelined since early November with a calf strain, returned Sunday—despite being told by the team’s medical staff he wouldn’t be cleared until at least November 19. He scored 27 points, dished 8 assists, and went a perfect 14-for-14 from the free-throw line. But he shot just 5-for-14 from the field. He was clearly limited. His movement was stiff. His first step? Gone. And yet—he played 42 minutes. The Bulls’ coaching staff didn’t have a choice.
The Injury Report That Shouldn’t Exist
The Chicago Bulls are unraveling. Officially, as of November 17, 2025, center Zach Collins is OUT with a wrist injury that could sideline him indefinitely. Point guard Tre Jones is QUESTIONABLE with an ankle sprain. And yet, Coby White—who was listed as OUT with a calf injury just 24 hours before tip-off—played. The disconnect is staggering. The team’s medical staff is clearly under pressure. Or overwhelmed. Or both.For the Jazz, the injury list is equally grim. Walker Kessler, their 23-year-old defensive anchor, is OUT FOR SEASON with a shoulder injury. Taylor Hendricks (hamstring), Georges Niang (foot), and Kyle Anderson (back) are all out or questionable. They’re playing with a rotation that looks more like a developmental squad than an NBA team. And still, they won. In double overtime. On the road.
Why This Loss Hurts More Than the Record Suggests
The Bulls fell to 6-6. Their five-game losing streak is now the longest of the season. But the real damage? The schedule. One day after playing 58 minutes of basketball in Salt Lake City, they were set to face the 10-2 Denver Nuggets on Monday, November 17, at 7:00 PM Mountain Time. Five games in seven days. No rest. No recovery. No mercy.Matas Buzelis, the 19-year-old forward, fouled out in double overtime after playing 32 minutes. He scored 18 points, blocked two shots, stole the ball once. He’s the future. But he’s being asked to carry the present. And he’s exhausted.
The Bulls’ depth is nonexistent. Their rotation? Three guys carrying the load. Giddey. White. Buzelis. And then? Bench players who haven’t seen meaningful minutes since October. The coaching staff is gambling with player health—and losing.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
The Jazz? They’re 5-8. Last place in the Northwest. But they’ve now won two straight. They’re playing with house money. No expectations. And when you play with nothing to lose, you play like legends. Keyonte George’s game-winner? A moment that could define his career. He’s 21. He didn’t flinch.Markkanen’s 47-point night? A statement. He’s not just a scorer—he’s a franchise cornerstone. And now, he’s playing for a team that can’t even field a full roster.
For the Bulls, this isn’t just a loss. It’s a warning. If they don’t fix their injury management—or at least their communication—they’re looking at a long, ugly winter. Players are being rushed back. Coaches are making decisions based on desperation, not data. And the NBA’s schedule? Brutal.
What’s Next?
The Bulls face Denver on Monday. Then Portland. Then Sacramento. Then Atlanta. Five games in seven days. No rest. No recovery. Giddey’s ankle? White’s calf? Collins’ wrist? All critical. And all unaddressed.Meanwhile, the Jazz have a rare day off before hosting the Timberwolves on Wednesday. They’ll need it. Because if they can win this kind of game on the road, against a team with more talent and more depth, they might just be dangerous when the playoffs come around.
One thing’s clear: basketball is no longer just about skill. It’s about survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Coby White playing despite being listed as OUT?
The Bulls’ injury report on November 15 listed White as OUT with a calf strain and no return timeline. But by game time on November 16, he was cleared—likely due to a last-minute medical reassessment. This inconsistency has raised questions about the team’s communication protocols. White himself admitted after the game he was "not 100 percent," but felt he could contribute. The decision to play him has drawn criticism from sports medicine experts who warn against rushing back from calf injuries.
How does this loss affect Chicago’s playoff chances?
The Bulls are currently fifth in the Central Division, but their five-game losing streak and brutal schedule could push them out of the top six. With only 10 games left before the All-Star break, every loss is costly. If they don’t stabilize their rotation and manage injuries better, they risk falling behind the Pistons, Cavaliers, and Bucks. A first-round exit is now plausible if they can’t turn things around by mid-December.
Is Lauri Markkanen’s performance a sign he’s ready to lead Utah?
Absolutely. With Donovan Mitchell traded and Kessler out for the season, Markkanen has become the Jazz’s de facto leader. His 47-point game was his third 45+ point performance this season. He’s averaging 28.6 points per game since November 1. The team’s offense now runs through him, and his three-point shooting (46.8% on the season) makes him nearly unguardable. He’s not just carrying the team—he’s rebuilding its identity.
What’s the significance of Keyonte George’s game-winner?
At 21 years old, George hit a step-back three from the right wing with 0.8 seconds left in double overtime—on the road, against a team with a better record and more star power. It was his first career game-winning shot. He’s now the youngest Jazz player to hit a buzzer-beater in regulation or overtime since Donovan Mitchell in 2018. This moment could be the turning point in his rookie season, shifting him from a role player to a franchise cornerstone.
Why is the Bulls’ injury situation so chaotic?
The Bulls have had five different injury designations for the same players across three reports in just 48 hours. Zach Collins went from OUT to GAME TIME DECISION and back. Josh Giddey went from QUESTIONABLE to PROBABLE. Coby White was OUT, then played. This inconsistency suggests either poor communication between medical staff and front office—or deliberate misinformation to manage public perception. Either way, it’s undermining trust in the organization.
Can the Jazz sustain this level of play with so many injuries?
Sustain? Probably not. But they’ve shown they can thrive under pressure. With Kessler out, Hendricks out, Niang out, and Anderson questionable, their rotation is down to seven players. Markkanen, George, Collier, and Jalen Williams are carrying 85% of the minutes. If any of them get hurt, the Jazz will collapse. But for now, they’re playing with grit, confidence, and chemistry no one expected. They’re not just surviving—they’re surprising.
