Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks

The Chicago Bulls will try to inject more cheer into their holidays when they host the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center the day after Christmas. The Bulls are coming off a mystifying 109-95 loss to a Cleveland Cavaliers squad that did not suit up its three best players—Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley.

The loss stopped the Bulls’ three-game winning streak, and they will try to get back on track on Monday night.

A step slow

According to Bulls coach Billy Donovan, the Bulls were beaten to the punch at nearly every turn by the Cavaliers. Whether it was on rebounds or on defense, Chicago was not able to get anything going, resulting in the loss that dropped them to 13-18.

“I felt like we were a step slow, quite honestly,” Donovan said. “We got hurt on the glass. That was certainly a factor. And then the free throw line, too. I thought we were fouling too much. We never were able to get out in transition as much. They didn’t necessarily shoot it great from three themselves. But the times they got it back kind of slowed us down and caught us in the half court quite a bit.”

Not our night. pic.twitter.com/AHhvrvGgdT
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 24, 2023

Can the Bulls rise to the challenge?

It remains to be seen if Hawks All-Star Trae Young will suit up on Tuesday, as he has been listed as questionable to play due to a shoulder sprain. Atlanta, though, is expected to welcome back power forward Jalen Johnson, who has missed a fair amount of time due to a wrist injury.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson will return to action vs. the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Johnson – averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 42.5% from 3 – has emerged as a key to the Hawks lineup. pic.twitter.com/ClTFD0Ekig
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 25, 2023

On the Bulls’ side, starting center Nikola Vucevic has been listed as questionable to play because of a left adductor contusion.

It’s go time.@NikolaVucevic | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/48SRGVyAMO
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 24, 2023