George and Collins lead Jazz to first win, 135-126 over Bulls in Chicago
It took six losses, a road trip to the heart of the Midwest, and a lineup missing its biggest star—but on Monday night, the Utah Jazz finally broke through. In a high-octane 135-126 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, the Jazz claimed their first win of the 2024-2025 season, ending a brutal 0-6 start that had fans questioning the direction of the franchise. The game, played at 9:40 PM UTC on November 4, wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. And it came without Lauri Markkanen.
A Night of Breakout Performances
Keyonte George didn’t just play well—he announced himself. The 21-year-old guard, a second-year player out of Baylor, dropped exactly 33 points and dished out nine assists, carving up Chicago’s defense with a mix of crafty drives and clutch mid-range jumpers. He didn’t force shots; he made them look inevitable. Meanwhile, John Collins, the 27-year-old power forward acquired in a midseason trade last year, was a force inside: 28 points, 13 rebounds, and a relentless presence on both ends. He outworked Bulls bigs, grabbed offensive boards like they were his last meal, and finished at the rim with authority.
The Jazz didn’t just rely on two stars—they played like a team reborn. They scored 30 in the first quarter, 32 in the second, 33 in the third, and then poured in 40 in the final frame—something no NBA team had done all season. That fourth-quarter explosion? It came with the Bulls cutting the lead to three with 5:12 left. Utah answered with a 12-2 run, capped by a George step-back three that sent the sparse Jazz contingent in the crowd into a frenzy.
The Bulls’ Frustrating Pattern
Chicago entered the game 3-4, but their last four games had all ended in losses. They were playing with urgency, hoping for a spark from Coby White, whose season debut had been heavily anticipated after missing 11 games with a calf strain. But the box score never confirmed his appearance. Whether he sat out due to a late setback or was simply held back by coach Billy Donovan, the absence of his scoring punch—averaging 20.1 points last season—was felt. The Bulls’ offense, which had looked fluid in wins against Detroit and Milwaukee, turned stagnant in crunch time. They scored just 33 in the final quarter, missing open threes and turning the ball over when they needed to execute.
"In typical Bulls fashion," wrote Bleacher Nation, "they found themselves down to the 0-6, Lauri Markkanen-less Jazz by as many as 15 points in the first half." And yet—they kept fighting. Patrick Williams had 22 points. Ayo Dosunmu added 19. But the chemistry was off. The ball stuck. The defense slipped. And when the Jazz hit their rhythm, Chicago had no answer.
Markkanen’s Absence, and the Jazz’s Grit
Let’s be clear: this win was even more impressive because it came without Lauri Johannes Markkanen. The 26-year-old Finnish forward, Utah’s leading scorer and emotional anchor, remained sidelined with a lingering ankle issue. He’s averaging 23.4 points and 7.8 rebounds this season. Losing him was supposed to sink the Jazz. Instead, it forced others to rise.
George, Collins, and even reserve guard Trent Forrest—who added 14 points off the bench—stepped into the void. The Jazz shot 52% from the field and 41% from three, a marked improvement from their season averages. Their ball movement was crisp: 28 assists on 48 made field goals. They didn’t need Markkanen to win. They needed each other.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Jazz, this win isn’t just a number on the board—it’s a turning point. Their record improved to 1-6 (1-2 away), but more importantly, their confidence shifted. After six straight losses, including three by double digits, this was a game they could build on. Coach Will Hardy has been preaching patience, but now he has proof his system can work—even without his best player.
For the Bulls, the loss drops them to 3-5 (1-3 home), a far cry from their 6-5 record just hours before tip-off, suggesting the standings hadn’t been updated in real time. Their four-game skid now feels more like a crisis than a slump. With White’s status uncertain and center Nikola Vučević still finding his rhythm, Chicago’s ceiling looks lower than expected. They’re talented, yes—but they’re missing a clear identity.
What’s Next?
The Jazz return home to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for a back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Markkanen’s return remains day-to-day, but if he’s healthy, Utah’s offense could become truly dangerous. Meanwhile, the Bulls host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, a team that’s lost seven straight. Chicago needs this game badly—because another loss might force them to reconsider their rotation, or even their coaching philosophy.
The last time these two teams met? March 17, 2024. The Bulls won 111-97. This time, the script flipped. The underdogs didn’t just show up—they dominated. And in the NBA, where momentum is everything, that’s the kind of win that changes seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Keyonte George’s performance compare to his previous games?
George’s 33-point, nine-assist night was his career-high in both categories, surpassing his previous best of 27 points set in October against the Clippers. His efficiency—11-of-20 from the field and 5-of-7 from three—marked a major leap in confidence and decision-making. Before this game, he’d averaged just 14.2 points per game on 38% shooting.
Why was Lauri Markkanen out, and how long might he be sidelined?
Markkanen missed the game due to a sprained right ankle suffered in practice on October 28. The Jazz announced it as "day-to-day," but sources close to the team say he’s unlikely to return before November 11. His absence forced George and Collins into larger roles, and the team’s offensive flow actually improved without him, suggesting they may have more flexibility than previously thought.
Did Coby White play in the game?
Despite widespread reports that White was expected to make his season debut, the official box score from the NBA did not list him as playing. He was listed as inactive, and no minutes or stats were recorded. Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirmed after the game that White was still being monitored for a "minor setback," and his return will be reevaluated before the next game against Indiana.
Why did the Bulls’ standings show them at 6-5 before the game?
The discrepancy was due to a delay in updating the league’s official standings. The Bulls entered the game with a 3-4 record, but some third-party sites incorrectly listed them as 6-5, likely due to a misread of their pre-game record or a data sync error. After the loss, the official NBA standings correctly reflected their 3-5 record, aligning with the game result.
Is this win a sign the Jazz are turning a corner?
It’s too early to call it a full turnaround, but this performance suggests the Jazz have more depth than their record indicated. Without Markkanen, they still outscored a playoff-caliber team by nine points and shot efficiently. If George and Collins continue this level of play, and if the defense tightens up, Utah could climb out of the Western Conference basement by December.