Bulls Rally to Victory Over Pacers Amid Giddey’s Injury

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Bulls kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 121-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. The win marks the Bulls’ third consecutive victory as they aim to secure a spot in next month’s play-in tournament.

Despite a recent slump, with only four wins in their last ten games, the Bulls seized the opportunity to distance themselves from the 11th-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. Central to their performance was guard Josh Giddey, who has emerged as a pivotal player since the All-Star break, averaging 22.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists.

However, Giddey’s night ended prematurely due to an ankle injury, which was the same ankle that caused him issues during the 2024 Olympics with the Australian national team. Giddey played 28 minutes, tallying 29 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists before leaving the game. Following the injury, he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

“It’s a huge loss for us,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “Josh has been an incredible asset, and our hopes for the playoffs hinge on his health.” Giddey’s recent performance had positioned him as a candidate for a lucrative contract extension, making the injury all the more concerning for Bulls fans.

As Giddey exited, other players stepped up to fill the void. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White are expected to shoulder more responsibilities in Giddey’s absence. Vucevic in particular will need to ramp up his offensive game as the postseason approaches.

Looking ahead, the Bulls will take on the Houston Rockets in their next game on Thursday, aiming to carry momentum into the final stretch of the regular season. “We need to find a way to keep winning, regardless of the challenges we face,” Donovan added.