New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Match Player Stats: Full Breakdown

The NBA season is in full swing, and nothing gets fans more excited than a clash between the Big Easy and the Windy City. If you are looking for the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats, you have come to the right place! These two teams always put on a show when they meet on the hardwood. Whether it is Zion Williamson bullying his way to the rim or the Bulls’ sharp-shooting guards lighting it up from deep, there is never a dull moment. In their most recent battle on December 31, 2025, the Bulls took care of business at home, winning 134-118 in front of a rocking United Center crowd.

A High-Scoring Night in Chicago

This matchup was a real treat for fans who love offense. The Bulls came out aggressive, scoring 36 points in the first quarter alone. Even though they were missing some key stars like Josh Giddey, their bench players stepped up in a big way. The Pelicans tried to keep pace behind a massive night from Zion, but Chicago’s depth was just too much to handle. The Bulls moved the ball beautifully, finishing with 33 team assists. This team-first play is why the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats look so impressive for the home team.

Detailed New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Match Player Stats

To truly understand how this game was won, we have to look at the numbers. The box score tells a story of a short-handed Bulls team playing with massive heart. On the other side, the Pelicans relied heavily on their main stars but struggled to stop Chicago’s fast break. Below is the complete breakdown of the top performers from the New Year’s Eve clash.

Chicago Bulls Player Stats (Top Performers)

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
Isaac Okoro	24	5	2	80%
Tre Jones	20	2	12	100%
Matas Buzelis	19	6	2	47%
Nikola Vucevic	17	8	5	54%
Jalen Smith	14	14	0	50%

New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats (Top Performers)

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
Zion Williamson	31	7	3	63%
Jordan Poole	26	3	2	43%
Trey Murphy III	15	6	2	38%
Saddiq Bey	11	6	2	33%

Zion Williamson’s Dominant Performance

Even in a loss, Zion Williamson showed why he is one of the most feared players in the league. He finished the game with 31 points, mostly by attacking the paint with brute force. The Bulls’ defenders tried their best to wall him off, but he was 12-of-19 from the field. Watching Zion move is like watching a freight train in sneakers! His efficiency is a major part of the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats story, as he keeps the Pelicans competitive even when their defense struggles.

Isaac Okoro’s Career Night

The biggest surprise of the evening was Isaac Okoro. With several starters out, Okoro took on a bigger scoring role and thrived. He scored a season-high 24 points and missed only two shots all night! His energy on both ends of the floor sparked the Bulls’ second-half run. When you look at the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats, Okoro’s +31 plus-minus rating stands out as the highest in the game. It was a performance that Bulls fans won’t forget anytime soon.

The Playmaking of Tre Jones

Tre Jones was the engine that made the Bulls’ offense go. Filling in for the injured Josh Giddey, Jones was nearly perfect. He scored 20 points without missing a single shot from the field! More importantly, his 12 assists kept everyone involved. He exploited the Pelicans’ weak transition defense all night long. The Pelicans give up a lot of fast-break points, and Jones made sure to push the pace every chance he got. This playmaking is a key reason why the Bulls’ shooting percentage stayed so high throughout the game.

Pelicans’ Bench Production and Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole provided a huge spark off the bench for New Orleans. He poured in 26 points, including four shots from beyond the arc. While the Pelicans’ starters struggled to find a rhythm outside of Zion, Poole kept the game close in the third quarter. However, the rest of the bench didn’t offer much help. To win games like this, the Pelicans need more balanced scoring across the roster. The new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats show a clear gap between the two teams’ bench depth during this specific matchup.

Team Shooting and Efficiency Comparison

The Bulls won this game because they simply shot the ball better. Chicago finished with a 51.1% field goal percentage, while the Pelicans shot 42.9%. In the NBA, it is very hard to win when your opponent is making over half of their shots. The Bulls were also very aggressive at the free-throw line, making 25 of their 34 attempts. The Pelicans actually shot a better percentage from the stripe (81.5%), but they didn’t get there as often as they needed to.

Battle on the Boards: Rebounding Stats

Rebounding is often where games are won or lost in the trenches. In this match, the Bulls narrowly outrebounded the Pelicans 49 to 46. Jalen Smith was a monster on the glass, grabbing 14 rebounds for Chicago. For the Pelicans, Zion and Trey Murphy III did their best to keep things even. However, the Bulls’ “double-big” lineup with Smith and Vucevic proved to be a tough matchup for the smaller Pelicans frontcourt. This physicality allowed Chicago to control the tempo of the game.

Key Takeaways from the Matchup

What can we learn from the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats? First, the Bulls have incredible depth and can win even when their top stars are sidelined. Second, the Pelicans are still very dependent on Zion Williamson’s scoring. While Zion is great, he needs more consistent defensive help from his teammates. The Pelicans’ transition defense remains a major concern, as they gave up 25 fast-break points in this game alone. If they want to climb the standings, they must tighten up their perimeter defense.

How to Use These Stats for Fantasy Basketball

If you play fantasy basketball, these stats are gold. Zion is clearly a high-floor player who will give you points and rebounds every night. On the Bulls’ side, keep an eye on guys like Matas Buzelis and Tre Jones. When starters are out, these players see a massive jump in their “usage rate,” meaning they touch the ball much more often. Looking at the new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats helps you spot these trends before your friends do!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who scored the most points in the Pelicans vs Bulls game?

Zion Williamson led all scorers with 31 points for the New Orleans Pelicans. For the Chicago Bulls, Isaac Okoro led the way with 24 points.

2. Did Josh Giddey play in the most recent game?

No, Josh Giddey was out with an injury during the December 31, 2025, matchup. Tre Jones started in his place and had a double-double.

3. What was the final score of the match?

The Chicago Bulls defeated the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 134-118.

4. How many assists did Tre Jones have?

Tre Jones recorded 12 assists, which was a game-high. He played a perfect game, shooting 7-for-7 from the field.

5. Which team is better in the head-to-head series this season?

As of early 2026, the series is quite competitive. While the Bulls won the most recent meeting, the Pelicans won the previous two matchups earlier in the season.

6. Where can I find live updates for the next Pelicans vs Bulls game?

You can follow live updates on the NBA app, ESPN, or local broadcasts like Gulf Coast Sports and CHSN.

Conclusion

The new orleans pelicans vs chicago bulls match player stats highlight a fascinating battle between two teams heading in different directions. The Bulls showed that their system works even with injuries, while the Pelicans showed they have the star power but lack the defensive consistency to win big games on the road. It will be exciting to see how these teams adjust the next time they meet!

What was your favorite moment from the game? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this breakdown, would you like me to analyze the upcoming injury report for the Pelicans’ next road trip?