JUST IN: Chicago Bulls Triumph Despite Agonizing Cooper Flagg Miss
In a game that felt like a playoff battle wrapped in a regular-season package, the Chicago Bulls emerged victorious in a dramatic finish, edging out a resurgent opponent despite a heart-stopping moment that nearly turned the tide — a missed shot by rookie sensation Cooper Flagg in the final seconds.
The Bulls, known for their inconsistency this season, delivered one of their grittiest performances yet, outlasting a fierce rally in the fourth quarter to secure a 108-106 win. But it was the final play that had fans holding their breath. With just 6.4 seconds left on the clock and the Bulls clinging to a two-point lead, the ball found its way into the hands of Flagg — the 19-year-old phenom already making waves in his debut NBA season.
Flagg, who had been electric all night, used a slick crossover to create space near the right elbow and elevated for what looked like a clean, confident jumper. The shot arced high, seeming destined for the net. But as time expired, the ball clanged off the back rim and bounced out. The United Center exhaled.
“That’s a shot he hits nine out of ten times,” Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan said postgame. “We were lucky the tenth came tonight.”
Flagg finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, showing poise beyond his years. But the missed opportunity was a cruel twist in what could’ve been a signature moment early in his career. Still, his performance underscored why he’s considered the most exciting rookie since Zion Williamson.
Meanwhile, the Bulls leaned heavily on their veteran core. Zach LaVine dropped 28 points, including a clutch three-pointer with under two minutes to play. Nikola Vučević chipped in a double-double, and the bench provided timely contributions that helped Chicago withstand Flagg’s late-game heroics.
Head coach Billy Donovan praised his team’s resilience. “We didn’t play perfect basketball, but we played tough,” he said. “Sometimes, games come down to a single possession, and tonight it just happened to fall our way.”
For the Bulls, the win keeps their postseason hopes alive. For Flagg and his team, it’s a bitter lesson in how cruel basketball can be — even when the shot looks perfect. But if this game proved anything, it’s that Cooper Flagg is already a problem — and the league has been put on notice.