Coby White had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 44 points for the Chicago Bulls in a thrilling 125-123 victory over the struggling Orlando Magic on Thursday night. The Magic have been on a downward spiral, losing five consecutive games and seven of their last 10, which has dropped their record to 29-35.
Orlando had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds of regulation, but Paolo Banchero missed a crucial 3-pointer. Wendell Carter Jr. managed to grab the offensive rebound, but his potential game-tying dunk came just after the buzzer sounded.
With their recent slump, Orlando now finds themselves in the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic are likely to be part of the NBA play-in tournament, but finishing as the 9th or 10th seed means having to win an extra game to secure the 8th seed. On the other hand, being the 7th or 8th seed would automatically grant them a spot in the playoffs with just one win.
Looking ahead, Orlando faces a challenging five-game road trip, including matchups against tough teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the top-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers.
Banchero and Cole Anthony both contributed 20 points for the Magic, followed by 19 from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and 18 from Franz Wagner.
White’s impressive scoring display featured a mix of dunks, drives, and deep 3-pointers. He finished the game shooting 16-of-28 from the field, including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. His game-winning shot with 1:28 remaining sealed the victory for the Bulls.
Chicago’s head coach, Billy Donovan, praised White not only for his scoring but also for his leadership and composure throughout the game. White’s performance was a key factor in guiding the Bulls to a much-needed win.
Josh Giddey nearly recorded a triple-double for Chicago with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, while Tre Jones added 20 points to the Bulls’ effort.
Although the win against Orlando was only the Bulls’ third in their last 12 games, it could potentially set the stage for a play-in matchup between the two teams, as the Bulls currently hold the 10th spot in the East.
Looking ahead, Chicago has a more favorable schedule with games against teams like the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns. However, a challenging six-game road trip looms ahead, featuring matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings.