DENVER (AP) — Coby White scored 37 points to lead the streaking Chicago Bulls over the short-handed Denver Nuggets 129-119 on Monday night.
Josh Giddey had 26 points and nine assists for Chicago, which finished its season-long road trip 4-2.
Click to Gallery
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, hustles back on defense after hitting a basket over Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, right, goes up shoot as Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, dunks the ball for a basket as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, center, looks to go up for a basket as Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, left, and forward Matas Buzelis, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, third from left, pulls in a rebound as, from left, Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, center Nikola Vucevic and forward Dalen Terry defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jamal Murray had 28 points and Peyton Watson scored a career-high 24 points for Denver, which played their fifth straight game without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic is expected to return from his left ankle injury during a five-game homestand.
Denver was also without Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management).
The game was tied entering the fourth quarter but the Bulls put together a 17-4 run to lead 112-103 midway through the period. The Nuggets closed to within 125-119 and had a chance to make it a one-possession game but Russell Westbrook missed a 3-pointer with 1:04 remaining.
Bulls: Chicago has now won eight of their last 10 to give them a chance to challenge for a home game in the Eastern Conference play-in with four of their next five games at home.
Nuggets: DeAndre Jordan was out of the rotation for 10 games prior to Sunday and now has started the last two with Jokic sidelined. He had 11 points and 15 rebounds at Houston in a season-high 38 minutes. He had 17 rebounds Monday night
Denver opened the fourth quarter with two buckets by Michael Porter Jr. but empty possessions kept the Bulls close. White took advantage with a 3-pointer to spark a 15-3 run that gave Chicago the lead for good.
The Nuggets are now 12-3 on the second night of back-to-back games, and have lost their last two. All of the losses have come at home.
The Bulls return home for two games, starting with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Nuggets continue their five-game homestand against Milwaukee on Wednesday night.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, hustles back on defense after hitting a basket over Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, right, goes up shoot as Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, dunks the ball for a basket as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, center, looks to go up for a basket as Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, left, and forward Matas Buzelis, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, third from left, pulls in a rebound as, from left, Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, center Nikola Vucevic and forward Dalen Terry defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
