Atlanta Hawks Fall to Chicago Bulls Amid Controversial Officiating

The Atlanta Hawks suffered a narrow defeat to the Chicago Bulls, losing 126–123 in a closely contested Eastern Conference matchup at State Farm Arena. Despite leading for significant portions of the game, the Hawks were unable to secure the win in the final moments. Trae Young led Atlanta with 32 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Jalen Johnson contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, nearly achieving a triple-double. The Hawks maintained a strong offensive rhythm, shooting approximately 48 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from three-point range.

Hawks let late lead slip in loss to BullsSports Illustrated

The game began favorably for Atlanta, who took a 36–30 lead in the first quarter and continued to control the pace through the first half. However, the Bulls mounted a comeback in the second half, highlighted by Josh Giddey's triple-double performance, which included 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Coby White's critical free throws in the closing moments ultimately sealed the victory for Chicago.

Hawks let late lead slip in loss to Bulls

A pivotal moment in the game occurred in the final seconds when a controversial foul was called on Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher while he was defending Coby White. The NBA officials later acknowledged this call as an error, stating that White had exaggerated the contact to draw the foul. This decision was noted in the NBA's Last Two Minute Report, which confirmed that the call should have been overturned. The Hawks, lacking a timeout, could not challenge the call, which contributed to their inability to regain control of the game.

Sports IllustratedHawks let late lead slip in loss to Bulls

The Hawks' defensive performance has been a recurring issue, particularly in the second half of games. In this matchup, they allowed the Bulls to go on a 13-2 run, erasing a 117–109 lead and ultimately leading to their defeat. The absence of key defenders Mo Gueye and Dyson Daniels further compromised Atlanta's defensive efforts. Coach Quin Snyder's decision to play Luke Kennard for 21 minutes, despite his ineffective performance, has drawn criticism. Kennard scored only two points and attempted just four shots, which some analysts argue exacerbated the Hawks' struggles on both ends of the court.

Sports IllustratedHawks let late lead slip in loss to Bulls

Despite shooting 58 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, the Hawks missed seven free throws in a tightly contested game, a statistic that highlights their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The combination of poor free throw shooting and defensive lapses has hindered Atlanta's performance this season, raising concerns about their prospects for the postseason.

Hawks let late lead slip in loss to Bulls

As the Hawks look to improve their record and secure a playoff spot for the first time since the 2022-23 season, addressing these critical issues will be essential for their success moving forward.

Sports Illustrated

• “com/I9Xr99zgiq — Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) December 24, 2025 The brutal call just served as a proverbial cherry on top for an extremely disappointing night of Hawks basketball.” — Rohan Roman, Sports Analyst

Sports Illustrated

• “The official call should have been that White fell to the ground without interference from Risacher.” — NBA Last Two Minute Report

Sports Illustrated

• “Blaming the loss entirely on Kennard is unfair, but it's these types of frustrating decisions that have held the Hawks back this season as well as a lack of attention to detail.” — Rohan Roman, Sports Analyst

Sports Illustrated