The Bulls vs Hornets game on December 12 looked over halfway through the night… and then everything flipped in a few crazy minutes. One team blew a big lead, one unexpected hero stepped up, and a single whistle changed how fans are talking about this matchup.
If you want to know who really took control, which player stats jump off the page, and how the final score turned into a mini‑story for both teams’ seasons, keep reading the full breakdown below.
Bulls vs Hornets Game Summary and Full Game Highlights
The Bulls beat the Hornets 129–126 in one of the most entertaining games of the early season. Chicago came back from 13 points down in the second half and scored 40 points in the fourth quarter to steal the win on the road. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 26 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds, while all five Chicago starters scored in double figures.
Charlotte looked in control for most of the night behind Kon Knueppel’s career‑high 33 points and 9 assists and Miles Bridges’ 32 points. But in the last minutes, the Hornets’ defense slipped and one key replay review took away a chance to tie the game, allowing Chicago to finally close out a tight contest.
Game Key Moments That Changed Everything and How Fans Reacted
The turning point came in the final minute of the fourth quarter. With the Hornets down by three, Knueppel rose for a three‑pointer and appeared to draw a foul on Zach Collins. After review, officials overturned the call, ruling there was no contact, so instead of three free throws for Charlotte, the Bulls got the ball back.
Right after that, Coby White was fouled and hit two calm free throws to push the lead to 129–126, which stood as the final score. Fans on social media were split: Bulls supporters praised the coach’s challenge, while Hornets fans felt the overturned foul decided the game and wasted huge nights from Knueppel and Bridges.
There were no major new injuries reported from the game, which is good news for both teams going forward. The main talking points among fans were Chicago’s late surge, Knueppel’s breakout and how Charlotte keeps letting close games slip away in the fourth quarter.
26 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists for Josh Giddey in a HUGE performance as the Bulls took down the Hornets 129 - 126#NBAHighlights pic.twitter.com/CotnqxAEni
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 13, 2025
Bulls vs Hornets Key Players: Player Stats and Top Performers
For Chicago, Giddey was the engine of the offense from start to finish, finishing with 26 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds on efficient shooting. He repeatedly attacked the paint, drew help and kicked out to open shooters, which is a big reason why every Bulls starter hit double figures.
White added 20 points and those crucial late free throws, while big man Zach Collins gave Chicago 16 points and strong rebounding off the bench. On the Hornets’ side, Knueppel connected from deep and attacked off the dribble for 33 points and 9 assists, and Bridges used his strength in transition and half‑court drives to pile up 32 points.
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Bulls vs Hornets Man of the Match: Josh Giddey
Giddey earns the man of the match tag because he influenced almost every big possession for the Bulls. He scored 26 points, created easy looks for teammates with 11 assists and helped on the glass with 7 rebounds. In the fourth quarter he kept attacking the rim, forcing the Hornets’ defense to collapse and opening lanes for cutters and shooters.
While Knueppel and Bridges had bigger scoring totals, Giddey’s balanced stat line and late‑game control directly led to Chicago’s comeback and the end of the seven‑game losing streak. That all‑around impact gives him the edge in this matchup.
Quarter‑by‑Quarter Breakdown of Every Major Bulls vs Hornets Highlight
Q1 – Fast Pace and Early Scoring
The game started with both teams pushing the pace and scoring easily. Chicago put up 33 points in the opening quarter, powered by Giddey’s drives and early threes from his teammates. Charlotte stayed close with 29 points behind Bridges’ attacks to the rim and Knueppel’s shot‑making, but the Bulls held a slim lead after one.
Q2 – Hornets’ Big Push
In the second quarter the Hornets grabbed control. They outscored the Bulls 32–22, with Bridges scoring freely and Knueppel breaking down the defense off the dribble. Chicago’s offense slowed, settled for tougher shots and went into halftime trailing 61–55 on the road.
Q3 – Lead Grows, Bulls Hang On
After the break, Charlotte’s confidence showed. The Hornets pushed the lead to 13 points as Knueppel and Bridges kept hitting shots and the home crowd got louder. Chicago’s bench, especially Collins, stepped up to keep the Bulls within reach, but Charlotte still edged the quarter 31–34 and led by nine going into the fourth.
Q4 – Bulls Score 40 and Steal It
The fourth quarter flipped everything. Chicago exploded for 40 points, locking in on defense and attacking the basket nearly every trip. Giddey drove and kicked, White hit big shots and free throws, and Collins finished plays inside as the Bulls slowly erased the deficit and finally pulled ahead in the last minute.
Bulls Comeback: How It Worked and Where Hornets Fell Short
The Bulls won because they were better when it mattered most. They attacked the paint, moved the ball and limited turnovers in the final period, turning defense into fast‑break chances and forcing Charlotte into tough, late‑clock shots. Their 40‑point fourth quarter shows how aggressive they became once they stopped settling for jumpers.
The Hornets lost despite big scoring nights from Knueppel and Bridges because their defense collapsed late. They struggled to contain pick‑and‑roll actions, gave up open looks on the perimeter and committed costly fouls, including the one that sent White to the line in the final seconds. The overturned foul review also hurt, but the bigger story is that Charlotte could not protect a large second‑half lead.
Season Record Snapshot and What This Result Means
This win moved the Bulls to 10–14 and gave them an emotional boost after a long losing skid. It does not fix all their problems, but it shows that with Giddey running the show and support from White and Collins, they can win tough road games against similar‑level East opponents.
For the Hornets, the loss dropped them to 7–18 and kept them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The positive sign is that Knueppel and Bridges look like a strong offensive duo for the future, but Charlotte must learn how to close out close games if it wants to climb up the table.
Final Score and Key Player Stats Recap
The Bulls vs Hornets clash delivered true NBA drama, with a big comeback, controversial review and standout player stats on both sides.
Chicago’s 129–126 victory, powered by Josh Giddey’s man‑of‑the‑match performance and a 40‑point fourth quarter, shows how quickly momentum can swing in this league.
For Charlotte, huge nights from Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges were not enough, highlighting how important late‑game defense and decision‑making are in close contests.
Fans looking for full game highlights and complete box‑score numbers can visit official NBA video and stats partners, including ESPN’s recap and the widely shared highlight videos from this matchup.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): www.nba.com
