Coby White’s Career Night Lifts Bulls Past Magic; Warriors Rally, Celtics Cruise

Coby White delivered the performance of his career on Thursday night, scoring a personal-best 44 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling 125-123 victory over the Orlando Magic. White’s late-game heroics were pivotal, as he poured in Chicago’s final nine points to erase a fourth-quarter deficit and hand Orlando its fifth consecutive home loss.  

The Magic had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Paolo Banchero’s potential game-winning three-pointer missed the mark. Wendell Carter Jr. managed to secure the rebound, but his putback dunk was ruled to have come just after time expired, sealing the Bulls’ narrow win.  

Rockets Beat Pelicans

In New Orleans, the Houston Rockets snapped a three-game skid by defeating the Pelicans 109-97. Alperen Sengun led the way with 22 points, while rookie Amen Thompson contributed a strong double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Houston’s dominant third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 33-15, was the key to ending their eight-game road losing streak — their first away win since January 28.  

Trey Murphy III’s hot start for the Pelicans saw him rack up 26 points, though only 11 came after the first quarter. Zion Williamson posted a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double, but the Pelicans couldn’t recover after the Rockets’ decisive third-quarter surge. The two teams will meet again on Saturday in Houston.  

Atlanta Hawks Win First on the Road

In Indianapolis, the Atlanta Hawks earned their first road win over the Indiana Pacers in six tries, claiming a 124-118 victory. Georges Niang led a balanced Hawks attack with 24 points, while Trae Young contributed 22 points and 16 assists. Onyeka Okongwu added a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.  

The Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam’s 35-point, nine-rebound effort, while Aaron Nesmith scored 21 and Myles Turner chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds. Atlanta’s 38-24 fourth-quarter surge proved to be the difference.  

Celtics Thrash 76ers

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics continued their dominant stretch, dispatching the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum powered Boston with 35 points and seven rebounds, while Payton Pritchard added 19 points off the bench.  

The short-handed 76ers, missing Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, were led by Kelly Oubre Jr., who scored 27 points and dished six assists. Lonnie Walker IV contributed 17 points off the bench, but Boston’s late third-quarter run followed by a 10-0 spurt to start the fourth put the game out of reach.  

Warriors Register Terrific Comeback Win

In Brooklyn, Stephen Curry erupted for 40 points — including seven three-pointers — as the Golden State Warriors completed a stunning 121-119 comeback win over the Nets. Trailing by as many as 22 points, the Warriors stormed back with a 40-25 second quarter and a key 11-2 run in the fourth to seize control.  

The Nets were led by Cameron Johnson’s 26 points, while Cam Thomas added 23. Despite an electric atmosphere with a record crowd of 18,413 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn couldn’t hold off Curry’s brilliance and Golden State’s relentless charge.