Bulls vs Warriors: Golden State Delivers Crushing 123-91 Blowout as Chicago Bulls Suffer Seventh Straight Loss

The latest Chicago Bulls vs Golden State Warriors clash turned into a statement win for Golden State, a 123–91 blowout in Chicago that exposed the Bulls’ current struggles and highlighted the Warriors’ depth even without some of their biggest stars. This matchup was more than just another regular-season game; it felt like a crossroads moment for both franchises moving in very different emotional directions. As an NBA writer with over 20 years covering the league’s twists and turns, I’ve seen plenty of games like this one—where one team’s grit and system shine through while the other hits rock bottom. Let’s dive deep into what unfolded at the United Center on December 7, 2025, unpacking the stats, standout plays, tactical breakdowns, and what it all means for the seasons ahead.​

Match Overview: Warriors Dominate from Tip-Off

Golden State walked into the United Center short-handed but incredibly focused, dominating from the opening minutes and never really allowing Chicago to believe it could steal the game at home. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, large sections of the Chicago crowd had already started heading for the exits, a visual symbol of the frustration surrounding this Bulls team during its ongoing losing streak. The Warriors built a double-digit lead early in the first quarter and methodically extended it, turning what could have been a trap game into a 32-point rout that showcased their resilience amid injuries.​

The Warriors’ 123–91 victory handed the Bulls their seventh straight loss, their longest skid since the 2019–20 season, while lifting Golden State back to a .500 record and injecting real momentum into a group that has been battling injuries all year. For Chicago, it was another night of poor shooting, inconsistent defense, and mounting questions about where this season is headed. In my decades covering the NBA, I’ve learned that streaks like this don’t happen by accident—they’re symptoms of deeper issues, from roster fit to coaching adjustments, and the Bulls are staring at a mirror they might not like right now.​

This game wasn’t just about the scoreboard; it was a clinic in contrasting team identities. Golden State played with the poise of a contender finding its stride, while Chicago looked disjointed, like a squad still searching for answers in the wake of a brutal schedule. The United Center, once a fortress during the Jordan era, felt more like a wake this time around, with fans voicing their discontent as the Warriors pulled away.

Key Statistics: Numbers Tell the Brutal Story

The numbers underline just how one-sided this contest became, especially as the game wore on. Here’s a breakdown of the most telling stats that painted Golden State’s masterpiece and Chicago’s nightmare:​

• Final score: Warriors 123, Bulls 91.​

• Bulls’ losing streak: Seven straight defeats, their longest since an eight-game slide in 2019–20.​

• Warriors’ defense: Third straight game holding an opponent under 100 points, a sign of a real identity shift on that end of the floor.​

• Three-point disparity: Golden State drained 22-of-47 from deep (46.8%), while Chicago managed just 9-of-32 (28.1%).​

• Rebounding edge: Warriors +12 on the glass, limiting second-chance points and controlling tempo.​

• Turnovers: Bulls coughed up 15, many leading to fast-break daggers for Golden State.​

Golden State crushed Chicago from the three-point line, on the glass, and in transition. The Bulls never found an offensive rhythm, finishing with their lowest point total of the season while being comfortably out-rebounded and outworked in the hustle categories. These aren’t fluke numbers; they reflect a Warriors team executing at a high level and a Bulls squad that’s lost its way, shooting just 36% from the field overall.​

Field goal percentages tell another story of dominance: Golden State at 51% eFG, Chicago scraping by at 42%. Paint points? Warriors 52-38. Fast-break points? 28-12 in Golden State’s favor. Every category screamed control, a testament to Steve Kerr’s system still humming even without its full arsenal.

Warriors’ Shooting Explosion: A Return to Form

If there is one number that defines this game, it is Golden State’s three-point shooting: 22 made threes on 47 attempts, with seven different players connecting from deep. Even without Stephen Curry on the floor, the Warriors looked like the league’s most dangerous shooting team again, spacing the floor beautifully and punishing every defensive mistake. Brandin Podziemski and Quinten Post were particularly deadly from outside, each knocking down five triples and stretching Chicago’s defense beyond its comfort zone.​

The combined effect was brutal for the Bulls: close out too hard and Golden State attacked the paint; stay home on shooters and the ball zipped around until a wide-open three appeared. What stood out most was how natural the Warriors’ offense looked despite missing some of its iconic pieces. The ball moved—averaging 28 assists on 44 made field goals—bodies cut through the lane, screens were set with purpose, and role players stepped into shots with confidence, reflecting a system that still works when everyone buys into it.​

In my experience, teams that shoot like this don’t do it by accident. It’s coaching, chemistry, and reps. Golden State’s motion offense forced Chicago into constant rotation, leading to breakdowns that the Warriors exploited relentlessly. By halftime, they were up 18 and had already made 12 threes—numbers that buried any hopes of a Bulls comeback.

Defensive Masterclass: Warriors’ Unsung Hero

Quietly, this current version of the Warriors is winning games with defense just as much as offense. Holding Chicago to 91 points marked the third consecutive outing in which Golden State kept opponents under the 100-point mark, a rare feat in today’s fast-paced NBA. They controlled the defensive glass (48-36 rebounding edge), limited second-chance opportunities (Bulls just 12), and turned Bulls turnovers into easy points the other way.​

Chicago’s shooters rarely enjoyed clean looks, with Warriors defenders rotating smartly, closing out under control, and communicating through screens in a way that reflected strong trust and preparation. This commitment on defense becomes even more impressive when considering Golden State’s injury list, with key veterans still working back toward full health. In many ways, the defense is what allowed the Warriors to weather those absences and still dominate a hungry but struggling Bulls squad.​

I’ve covered enough playoff runs to know that elite defense wins titles. Golden State’s activity—deflections, steals (10-5 edge), and paint protection—smothered Chicago’s half-court sets. No easy buckets, no rhythm. That’s how you turn a potential grinder into a rout.

Standout Warriors Performers: Depth on Full Display

Several Warriors stepped into the spotlight in this matchup, turning what could have been a survival game without stars into a showcase of depth. Here’s who carried the load:​

• Brandin Podziemski: Led all scorers with 21 points off the bench (5-8 from three), combining sharp shooting with poise and energy that lifted the entire group. His 21 points included clutch triples that silenced any Bulls runs.​

• Jimmy Butler: In his return to the lineup, Butler delivered 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, setting the tone with physical drives, smart playmaking, and veteran composure. At 36, he’s still bullying defenses.​

• Quinten Post: The stretch big added 19 points and five made threes, dragging Chicago’s bigs out to the perimeter and opening driving lanes for teammates. Rookie impact at its finest.​

• Pat Spencer: Double-digit points in his second career start, plus solid playmaking and defensive intensity.​

Around them, six Warriors scored in double figures, a perfect storm of balance. The overall picture was a rotation that looked balanced, confident, and fully aware of its roles even in the absence of Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford. This depth is Golden State’s secret weapon—role players ready to feast.​

Bulls’ Nightmare: Struggles Exposed in Seven-Game Skid

For the Bulls, this game felt like another painful chapter in a stretch of basketball defined by frustration and missed opportunities. The loss dropped them to a seven-game skid, with problems on both ends of the floor becoming more visible each night. Chicago shot just 36% from the field and failed to crack 100 points for a third time in four games, underscoring just how stuck the offense has become.​

Possessions often degenerated into difficult pull-ups or late-clock isolations, while turnovers fed the Warriors’ transition attack and kept the Bulls constantly on their heels. Defensively, Chicago struggled to chase shooters, communicate through screens, and contain Golden State’s ball movement, especially when the Warriors spread the floor with multiple perimeter threats. The final scoreboard did not just reflect bad shooting luck; it exposed deeper issues in scheme execution, focus, and on-court chemistry.​

After two decades in this business, I’ve seen slumps like Chicago’s before. It’s not just losses; it’s the lack of fight. The Bulls need a spark—maybe a trade, a coaching tweak, or young guys stepping up consistently.

Injury Report: Absences That Shaped the Night

Both teams came into this contest dealing with heavy injury lists, which shaped rotations and expectations before a single minute was played. On Chicago’s side, multiple regulars were unavailable, including Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, and Jalen Smith, forcing the coaching staff to lean on less experienced combinations and shortened depth. Ayo Dosunmu started despite a thumb issue, but the backcourt never truly found its groove against Golden State’s pressure and length.​

On the Warriors’ side, the absence of Curry, Green, and Horford could have been a built-in excuse, yet the team refused to lean on it, instead responding with energy and collective responsibility. There is optimism that Curry and some of the other veterans may return in the near future, with timelines pointing to a potential comeback later in the week, which could significantly raise Golden State’s ceiling. For the Bulls, the priority will be getting their rotation closer to full strength while also rediscovering an identity that can survive the usual ups and downs of an NBA season.​

Injuries test character, and Golden State passed with flying colors. Chicago’s list feels like a crutch amid deeper woes.

Bright Spots for Chicago: Glimmers Amid the Gloom

Even in a heavy home defeat, there were a few glimpses of hope for Chicago that the coaching staff can build on.​

• Josh Giddey: Finished with 18 points, showing glimpses of the all-around offensive game that made him such a key acquisition. His vision created some open looks.​

• Matas Buzelis: The young forward added 16 points, offering flashes of shot-making and length that hint at long-term upside despite some mistakes and turnovers.​

These performances did not shift the outcome, but they matter for a team in transition searching for core pieces that can anchor the next phase of the franchise. When viewed in the context of development, individual growth from younger players becomes as important as short-term wins, especially during a stretch where results are not going Chicago’s way. Giddey and Buzelis could be cornerstones if surrounded properly.​

Historical Context: Warriors Own This Rivalry Lately

The latest blowout win fits into a broader trend that has tilted this matchup heavily in Golden State’s favor in recent years. The Warriors have now won 14 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams, regularly turning these games into showcases of their offensive system and shooting depth. Head-to-head numbers over the long term reflect a clear edge for Golden State, with the Warriors holding more overall wins and averaging more points than Chicago across dozens of matchups.​

The recent result in Chicago continues that pattern, underlining how far the Bulls still have to climb to consistently compete with the league’s better-structured franchises. For fans, Bulls vs Warriors games now carry a dual narrative: nostalgia for classic eras, especially Chicago’s 1990s dominance, and a reality check about where each organization currently stands in the modern NBA hierarchy. Back in my early days covering the league, Bulls-Warriors meant Jordan vs. the upstarts; now it’s a mismatch favoring the Bay Area vets.​

Tactical Breakdown: Lessons from Both Sides

From a tactical point of view, this game offered several clear lessons that explain both the scoreline and the broader direction of each team.​

Golden State’s Keys to Victory:

• Commitment to spacing and unselfish passing created high-quality threes and easy drives all night.​

• Defensive discipline and rebounding limited Chicago’s comfort in the half court and stopped the Bulls from building any real momentum.​

Chicago’s Pain Points:

• Slow, predictable offensive sets allowed the Warriors to load up on primary creators and force contested shots.​

• Rotational uncertainty and communication breakdowns on defense repeatedly left shooters open on the perimeter.​

The contrast in execution underscored the importance of having a clear identity at both ends of the floor, especially when dealing with injuries and adversity. Kerr’s Warriors ran circles around Billy Donovan’s Bulls, who looked a step slow in every switch.​

Looking Ahead: Implications for Both Teams

For the Warriors, this victory serves as a confidence booster and a reminder that their system and culture still work, even with new faces playing big minutes. As stars return from injury, Golden State can view this stretch as an investment in depth, with role players now battle-tested and ready to contribute in bigger moments. They’re trending up, potentially sneaking into the playoff picture in the loaded West.​

For the Bulls, the result heightens the urgency around finding answers, both in the locker room and potentially within the front office. A seven-game losing streak is not just about bad luck; it points to structural issues in roster balance, shot creation, defensive accountability, and leadership that will need to be addressed if Chicago wants to re-establish itself as a credible playoff threat. Trade deadline whispers will intensify if this skid continues.​

In the short term, both teams head into their next games with very different emotions: Golden State riding the momentum of a dominant road win and Chicago searching for any spark to stop the slide. Yet for fans on both sides, Bulls vs Warriors remains a compelling matchup, a modern snapshot of how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA and how much work it takes to stay at the top once you get there.​

Fan Reactions and Social Buzz

Post-game, social media lit up with Warriors fans celebrating the depth win, while Bulls supporters vented frustration over the skid. Reddit threads dissected Podziemski’s emergence and Kuminga’s DNP, hinting at roster decisions ahead. Highlights videos racked up views, with YouTube clips of the third-quarter demolition going viral. This game’s echoes will linger as both fanbases process what comes next.​​