Bulls Fall Short in Fourth Quarter Surge as Spurs Win 124-119

A Late Rally Falls Short

The Chicago Bulls hosted the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, hoping to stifle a visiting team that had already established itself as one of the league's most formidable units. Despite a dominant first half from their own roster, the home crowd watched in disappointment as San Antonio’s offense ignited in the final periods, securing a 124-119 victory.

First Half Dominance by Chicago

Chicago entered the contest with high energy, quickly finding their rhythm against the Spurs' defense. The Bulls’ offense was surgical early on, led by Jalen Smith who contributed significantly from beyond the arc and inside the paint. Josh Giddey orchestrated the attack efficiently, dishing out 7 assists to keep the scoring flowing.

Patrick Williams anchored the glass for Chicago, pulling down 7 rebounds to help control the interior.

The Bulls exploded for 41 points in the opening quarter, establishing a commanding lead that seemed insurmountable by halftime. They maintained their momentum into the second period, outscoring San Antonio 29-27 in the frame. The half concluded with Chicago holding a substantial advantage, capitalizing on consistent shooting and effective ball movement to build a buffer that felt secure heading into the break.

Spurs’ Second Half Surge

San Antonio began the third quarter with renewed intensity, slowly chipping away at the deficit. The turning point arrived as the visiting team’s defense tightened and their offense found multiple scoring threats. Victor Wembanyama emerged as the focal point of this comeback effort, finishing with a game-high 32 points and 9 rebounds.

His presence was felt throughout the night, providing crucial buckets when Chicago’s lead threatened to become unmanageable.

Dylan Harper facilitated the Spurs' offensive resurgence, recording 10 assists to distribute the ball effectively among his teammates. The fourth quarter saw San Antonio outscore Chicago 34-30, erasing the earlier deficit and taking control of the game's momentum. Despite late efforts from the Bulls, including scoring bursts from their bench, they could not overcome the deficit created by the Spurs' sustained pressure.

Final Record Implications

The loss drops the Chicago Bulls to a 1-9 record on the season, highlighting ongoing struggles for the home team. Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs improve to 10-2, further solidifying their position near the top of the conference standings. The final score stood at 124-119, with attendance recorded at 19,699 at the United Center in Chicago, IL.

Sources

ESPN