The Chicago Bulls arrived at Ball Arena tired and facing long odds, yet somehow managed one of the season’s most unlikely victories 130-127 over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Nothing about the matchup suggested a close game.
Not after a double-overtime loss to the Jazz the night before and not at Denver’s high altitude. Not against a Nuggets squad accustomed to protecting their homecourt. Still, the Bulls tapped into another level just when it seemed all signs pointed to defeat.
Nov 17, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips (15) grabs a rebound over Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The stats tell the story better than any narrative could. Denver’s starters controlled the floor with a +14.1 net rating, appearing to dominate from start to finish. Their bench, however, fell apart, registering a shocking -17.1. That 31.2-point swing between the two units was the largest margin by a starting lineup that still lost a game this season.
Last night, Denver’s starters were 31.2 net points better than their bench, +14.1 to -17.1, and they lost by 3 to the Bulls).That was the best performance by starters to lose a game this year.espnanalytics.com/nba-box?id=2…(Chicago’s win came with second-worst starters of year.)
— Dean Oliver (@deanolytics.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T11:48:53.026Z
Usually, a split like that ends contests early, but this time it created just enough of an opening for the Bulls to capitalize.
The Bulls held their ground, even as their starters delivered the second-worst showing of any unit all season.
The Bulls outlasting the Nuggets away from home
Nov 17, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Bulls guard/forward Kevin Huerter (13) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrate defeating the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Josh Giddey paced Chicago with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Kevin Huerter added 20 points, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc.
Chicago leaned on timely defensive plays, endurance at altitude, and poise beyond expectations in a matchup that favored Denver. Jokic controlled the pace as usual. Kevin Huerter knocked down reliable shots. Still, none of that mattered once the Nuggets’ bench faltered and the Bulls kept pressing their advantage.
The Bulls proved difficult to guard, thanks to a versatile roster with six players scoring 13 points or more. Even with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray pouring in 36 and 34 points, the Nuggets’ defensive lapses left them vulnerable.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first quarter against the LA Clippers during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Nuggets faced their own struggles in Monday’s defeat, but the Bulls clearly played the better game. Denver can use the loss as a teaching moment, and with a favorable stretch of upcoming matchups, they should be able to limit setbacks moving forward.
After pulling off such an improbable victory, the question becomes how high the Bulls can actually rise if they continue stealing games like this.
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