The Chicago Bulls secured a 121-114 home victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday, January 2nd, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, IL.
In a game where both teams shot 50.0% from the floor, Chicago’s depth and late-game execution proved decisive, edging Orlando by seven points despite a huge night from Paolo Banchero.
Below is a full breakdown of the Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic match player stats, plus the main storylines that shaped the result.
Final Score And Team Stats Snapshot
Chicago Bulls 121, Orlando Magic 114.
Orlando finished 43-of-86 shooting (50.0%) and hit 14 three-pointers on 32 attempts (43.8%), but left points at the line by going 14-of-21 (66.7%).
Chicago matched the 50.0% field-goal mark by going 45-of-90, and while the Bulls were less efficient from deep (14-of-41, 34.1%), they dominated the free-throw battle by going 17-of-19 (89.5%).
Chicago also won the rebounding battle 47-36, which helped offset Orlando’s strong ball movement (28 assists).
- Orlando: 114 points, 50.0% FG, 43.8% 3PT, 66.7% FT, 36 rebounds, 28 assists
- Chicago: 121 points, 50.0% FG, 34.1% 3PT, 89.5% FT, 47 rebounds, 31 assists
Paolo Banchero Leads Orlando’s Attack
| Player | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond Bane | 37:46 | 5 | 12 | 41.7 | 3 | 8 | 37.5 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| Paolo Banchero | 34:51 | 13 | 23 | 56.5 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 3 | 7 | 42.9 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 31 | -7 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | 31:46 | 4 | 12 | 33.3 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 7 |
| Anthony Black | 33:15 | 8 | 16 | 50.0 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 18 | -10 |
| Jalen Suggs | 20:04 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 15 |
| Tyus Jones | 17:48 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tristan da Silva | 25:14 | 3 | 6 | 50.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -11 |
| Goga Bitadze | 16:14 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -14 |
| Jase Richardson | 7:34 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -10 |
| Jamal Cain | 15:28 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | -9 |
| Jett Howard | DNP | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jonathan Isaac | DNP | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noah Penda | DNP | |||||||||||||||||||
| TOTALS | 43 | 86 | 50.0 | 14 | 32 | 43.8 | 14 | 21 | 66.7 | 5 | 31 | 36 | 28 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 23 | 114 | -7 |
Paolo Banchero delivered the headline stat line for Orlando, scoring 31 points on 13-of-23 shooting (56.5%) with 6 assists and 6 rebounds.
He mixed power drives with confident pull-ups, and he also contributed defensively with 2 steals and 1 block, even if three turnovers and some missed free throws (3-of-7) prevented an even bigger swing.
Desmond Bane added 14 points with 4 assists, while Anthony Black posted an all-around 18 points and 7 assists, showing how Orlando was able to consistently generate quality looks.
Wendell Carter Jr. struggled at times from the field (4-of-12) but still chipped in 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, giving Orlando second-chance stability and interior presence.
- Paolo Banchero: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 13-23 FG
- Anthony Black: 18 PTS, 7 AST, 8-16 FG
- Wendell Carter Jr.: 13 PTS, 10 REB
- Desmond Bane: 14 PTS, 4 AST
Bulls Balance Wins Out In High-Scoring Home Performance
| Player | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Okoro | 29:33 | 4 | 8 | 50.0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 18 |
| Jalen Smith | 26:57 | 4 | 10 | 40.0 | 1 | 6 | 16.7 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 5 |
| Nikola Vučević | 35:11 | 7 | 11 | 63.6 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | -3 |
| Matas Buzelis | 30:23 | 6 | 14 | 42.9 | 2 | 8 | 25.0 | 7 | 8 | 87.5 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 14 |
| Tre Jones | 28:37 | 2 | 7 | 28.6 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -16 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | 21:09 | 6 | 9 | 66.7 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 18 |
| Kevin Huerter | 23:31 | 8 | 15 | 53.3 | 4 | 9 | 44.4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 1 |
| Dalen Terry | 12:15 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -6 |
| Patrick Williams | 22:54 | 6 | 9 | 66.7 | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | -8 |
| Julian Phillips | 9:30 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 |
| Jevon Carter | DNP | |||||||||||||||||||
| Zach Collins | DND | |||||||||||||||||||
| TOTALS | 45 | 90 | 50.0 | 14 | 41 | 34.1 | 17 | 19 | 89.5 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 31 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 121 | 7 |
Chicago’s win was built on multiple scoring threats and timely shot-making from different lineups.
Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 21 points, adding 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a do-it-all performance. He got to the line frequently (7-of-8 FT) and stayed involved as a creator, which mattered in a game where Orlando’s defense had to constantly choose who to load up on.
Kevin Huerter delivered a major scoring punch with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, knocking down 4 threes on 9 attempts. His spacing helped open driving lanes and gave the Bulls an immediate response whenever Orlando threatened a run.
Ayo Dosunmu was another key factor, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting while handing out 7 assists. His efficiency and tempo control helped Chicago maintain offensive rhythm even when rotations shifted.
Nikola Vučević quietly produced 17 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor and adding 5 assists from the center spot. That passing was a big part of Chicago’s 31-assist night.
Patrick Williams also chipped in 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep, giving Chicago valuable two-way minutes and another perimeter option.
- Matas Buzelis: 21 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
- Kevin Huerter: 20 PTS, 4 3PM
- Ayo Dosunmu: 17 PTS, 7 AST
- Nikola Vučević: 17 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
- Patrick Williams: 15 PTS, 6-9 FG, 3-5 3PT
Key Swing Factors: Free Throws, Rebounds, And Secondary Plays
This matchup is a good example of how a close shooting night can still produce a clear winner through possession and efficiency details.
Orlando’s three-point percentage was excellent (43.8%), but the Magic’s free-throw rate and accuracy didn’t match the pace of their offense. Going 14-of-21 at the line left seven points unused in a seven-point loss.
Meanwhile, the Bulls were nearly automatic at the stripe (17-of-19), which matters late when teams are trading trips and the pace slows into half-court possessions.
Rebounding was another separator. Chicago collected 47 boards to Orlando’s 36, and the Bulls also grabbed 9 offensive rebounds. That extra work created additional scoring chances and helped Chicago survive stretches where Orlando’s perimeter shooting heated up.
- Free throws: Chicago 17-19, Orlando 14-21
- Rebounds: Chicago 47, Orlando 36
- Offensive boards: Chicago 9, Orlando 5
- Assists: Chicago 31, Orlando 28
Bench Impact And Rotation Notes
Orlando’s bench had moments, but the overall plus-minus picture leaned heavily toward Chicago’s rotation depth and lineup stability.
Goga Bitadze was efficient (2-of-2 shooting) and contributed defensively with 2 blocks and 2 steals, but Orlando’s second unit struggled to keep pace in extended stretches. Tristan da Silva added 7 points and 3 rebounds, while Jamal Cain scored 8 points with two made threes.
For Chicago, the non-starters helped sustain offensive flow. Dosunmu’s 17 points and playmaking were essential, and Huerter’s scoring burst functioned like a second wave of pressure. Julian Phillips added 5 points with a three and a dunk, and Dalen Terry chipped in 4 rebounds and 2 assists despite not scoring.
- Orlando bench scoring highlights: Cain 8, da Silva 7, Richardson 7, Bitadze 5
- Chicago bench scoring highlights: Dosunmu 17, Huerter 20, Williams 15, Phillips 5
Inactive Players And Availability Context
Orlando listed Colin Castleton, Orlando Robinson, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner as inactive.
Chicago listed Coby White, Josh Giddey, Emanuel Miller, Trentyn Flowers, Noa Essengue, and Lachlan Olbrich as inactive.
Those absences shaped the rotation decisions, but Chicago still got a complete team performance with five players scoring 15 or more.
- Orlando inactive: Colin Castleton, Orlando Robinson, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner
- Chicago inactive: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Emanuel Miller, Trentyn Flowers, Noa Essengue, Lachlan Olbrich
Orlando Magic Player Stats
Desmond Bane: 14 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (5-12 FG, 3-8 3PT)
Paolo Banchero: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST (13-23 FG, 2-5 3PT)
Wendell Carter Jr.: 13 PTS, 10 REB (4-12 FG, 2-6 3PT)
Anthony Black: 18 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST (8-16 FG, 2-5 3PT)
Jalen Suggs: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST (4-6 FG)
Tyus Jones: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST
Tristan da Silva: 7 PTS, 3 REB
Goga Bitadze: 5 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Jase Richardson: 7 PTS
Jamal Cain: 8 PTS
Chicago Bulls Player Stats
Isaac Okoro: 9 PTS (4-8 FG)
Jalen Smith: 11 PTS, 10 REB, 2 STL
Nikola Vučević: 17 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
Matas Buzelis: 21 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
Tre Jones: 6 PTS, 5 AST
Ayo Dosunmu: 17 PTS, 7 AST
Kevin Huerter: 20 PTS (4-9 3PT)
Dalen Terry: 0 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST
Patrick Williams: 15 PTS (3-5 3PT)
Julian Phillips: 5 PTS
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