Honestly, if you're looking for the prettiest basketball in the NBA, you probably aren't staying up late to watch the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls trade buckets. It’s chaotic. It's often messy. But man, is it entertaining. There is something about the Hawks vs Chicago Bulls matchup that consistently turns into a high-octane track meet where defense is basically optional.
We’ve seen it time and again this season. These two teams are currently neck-and-neck in the Eastern Conference standings. As of mid-January 2026, the Hawks sit at 19-21, while the Bulls are right on their heels at 18-20. They are fighting for the same patch of dirt in the play-in tournament, which makes every meeting feel like a Game 7 in a library.
The Chaos of the 2025-2026 Season Series
If you haven't been paying attention, the games between these two lately have been absolutely nuts. Back in December 2025, they played a back-to-back set in Atlanta that felt more like an All-Star Game than a regular-season grind.
In the first game on December 21, the Bulls walked away with a 152-150 win. Yes, you read that right. 152 to 150. No overtime. Just straight-up track-meet basketball. It was the kind of game where you could look away to grab a drink and miss a 10-0 run. Two days later, they did it again, with the Bulls winning a "low-scoring" 126-123 affair.
What’s wild is how the Bulls have dominated the head-to-head recently. Over the last three seasons, Chicago has gone 8-3 against Atlanta. Even with the Hawks having the supposed "superstar" in Trae Young, the Bulls just seem to have their number.
The Trae Young Problem
Everyone talks about Trae Young. He’s the engine. He’s the villain. But against the Bulls, he’s often forced into a version of basketball that’s just... difficult. Chicago has leaned heavily into length. Josh Giddey, now firmly established in that Bulls backcourt, presents a nightmare matchup for Trae.
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Giddey isn't the fastest guy on the court, but he's huge. He’s 6'8" and currently averaging about 9 assists and nearly 8 rebounds a game. When he’s switched onto Trae, he uses that wingspan to disrupt passing lanes that Trae usually sees with his eyes closed.
Trae still gets his points—he’s too good not to—but the efficiency takes a hit. You’ll see him go for 30, but it’ll take 24 shots and 10 free throws to get there.
Why Coby White is the Real X-Factor
If you ask a casual fan who the best player on the Bulls is, they might say Zach LaVine or Nikola Vucevic. They’d be wrong. In this specific Hawks vs Chicago Bulls rivalry, the guy who kills Atlanta is Coby White.
Coby has turned into a flamethrower. In their most recent December matchups, he was consistently dropping 20+ points with ease. Just last week against the Mavericks, he put up 22 points in 29 minutes. He doesn't need the ball to be effective, which makes him the perfect foil for Giddey's playmaking.
The Hawks' perimeter defense has been, to put it politely, a disaster. They are currently allowing opponents to shoot a high percentage from deep, and Coby White lives for that. If Atlanta doesn't close out on him, he’ll bury four threes in a quarter and the game is effectively over.
Jalen Johnson: Atlanta's Silver Lining
It's not all doom and gloom for the A. Jalen Johnson has blossomed into a legitimate star. In fact, in the fantasy basketball world, he's currently ranked as one of the top producers in the entire league, rubbing shoulders with guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic in total points.
Johnson is the one guy who can match the Bulls' physicality. He’s a walking double-double who can push the ball in transition. When the Hawks win, it’s usually because Jalen Johnson decided to be the most athletic person on the floor for 36 minutes.
The Stat Sheet (For the Nerds)
Look, numbers don't lie, even if they don't tell the whole story. Here is how these teams are stacking up right now:
- Chicago's Edge: They are 2nd in the NBA in defensive rebounding. Josh Giddey and Vucevic inhale boards. This limits Atlanta's second-chance opportunities, which is a death sentence for a team that relies on volume shooting.
- Atlanta's Edge: They play fast. They are top-five in pace. If they can force the Bulls into a sloppy, high-turnover game, they win.
- The Disparity: Chicago has won the last three meetings. Atlanta hasn't beaten the Bulls since January 2025.
Honestly, the Bulls just match up well. They have the size to bother Trae and the shooting to punish Atlanta's "drop" coverage on screens.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "star" matchup. They think it's Trae vs. Whoever.
It's not.
This matchup is decided by the "others." It’s decided by whether Dyson Daniels can stay on the floor and guard Coby White. It’s decided by whether Ayo Dosunmu can disrupt the Hawks' flow.
Also, can we talk about the arena factor? Playing at the United Center is a different beast for Atlanta. The Bulls have been much more consistent at home this year, while the Hawks have been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team on the road.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you’re betting on this or just watching as a die-hard fan, here is what you need to look for in the next Hawks vs Chicago Bulls game:
- Watch the Rebound Margin: If the Bulls are +10 on the boards by halftime, the Hawks are losing. Period. Atlanta cannot afford to give Chicago extra possessions.
- The 30-Point Rule: If Trae Young has to score 35+ for the Hawks to stay close, they’re in trouble. They need balanced scoring from Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic to actually win.
- Giddey's Triple-Double Watch: Keep an eye on Josh Giddey’s stats in the first quarter. If he starts with 4 rebounds and 4 assists early, he’s going to dictate the entire tempo of the game.
The Eastern Conference play-in race is going to come down to the wire. These two teams are likely going to see each other in a win-or-go-home scenario in April. Based on what we've seen so far in 2026, the Bulls have the psychological edge, but the Hawks have the higher ceiling if their shots are falling.
Keep an eye on the injury reports as well. We've seen some weird postponements lately—like the Bulls vs Heat game that got pushed because of condensation on the court from a hockey game. In a season this tight, one rest day or one minor ankle sprain changes the entire trajectory of the standings.
Check the defensive rotations. See if Atlanta finally decides to put a bigger body on Coby White. If they don't, expect another high-scoring Bulls victory.