March 3, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Rugenz Dort (5) defends Chicago Bulls guard Josh Gidey (3) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Image Jared McCain scored 20 points, Isaiah Joe had 19 and Jaylin Williams added 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-108 win over the host Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Oklahoma City outscored Chicago 32-22 in the third quarter and handed Chicago its 12th loss in 13 games after holding up a last-minute error from the Bulls’ bench.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held out of the game to manage an abdominal strain. The reigning NBA MVP scored a total of 66 points in wins Friday and Sunday after missing the team’s previous nine games due to injury.
Aaron Wiggins had 18 points and Cason Wallace had 17 for Oklahoma City, which has won six of its last seven games. Chet Holmgren had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Matas Buzelis swished a pair of free throws to give the Bulls a two-point advantage with 1:01 to go in the third quarter. Chicago never led after that.
Collin Sexton led Chicago with 20 points. Josh Giddey had 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Gerchon Yabusele (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Nick Richards (12 points, 13 rebounds) recorded double-doubles and Tre Jones scored 15 points.
Buzelis added 11 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter. Buzelis, the only Bull to play in each of the team’s 62 games, rolled his right ankle after stepping on Williams’ foot.
The Thunder and Bulls stormed through the opening minutes, combining for 4-for-21 shooting, including 1-for-11 from long range. Oklahoma City led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the Bulls held on despite committing 11 turnovers in the first half. Chicago had 19 giveaways in this game.
Sexton’s driving layup at the halftime buzzer put the Bulls up 55-54 as Chicago limited the Thunder to three points over the final 2:35 of the second quarter.
Joe and Yabusele each had 15 points in the first half, and Joe scored nine straight Thunder points during a period in the second period.
Oklahoma City has won seven straight against the Bulls, including four in a row against Chicago.
–Field level media
