Josh Giddey scores 26 points, Bulls hang on to beat Hornets 129-126 to snap 7-game losing streak

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Josh Giddey had 26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, Zach Collins added 16 points off the bench and the Chicago Bulls erased a 13-point, second-half deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 129-126 on Friday night and snap a seven-game losing streak.

Coby White had 20 points including two free throws to seal the game as all five Chicago starters finished in double figures in scoring.

Kon Knueppel had a career-high 33 points and nine assists for the Hornets, who have lost four of their last five. Miles Bridges added 32 points.

The Hornets had a chance to tie with 10 seconds left when Knueppel launched a 3-point attempt from the top of the key. Officials initially called Collins for a foul, but then overturned the call after watching the replay and awarded the Bulls the ball ruling that Collins had not made contact with Knueppel.

White was then fouled and made two free throws with 8.2 seconds left.

The Hornets led 61-51 at halftime behind 20 points from Bridges and 17 from Knueppel, as they combined to go 7 of 11 from 3-point range.

Charlotte extended its lead to 13 in the third quarter before the Bulls battled back to take a 102-99 lead with 9 minutes on a breakaway and-one layup by Isaac Okoro. With 39.1 seconds remaining, Giddey drove and scored on a shot high off the glass to extend Chicago's lead to five.

The Bulls won despite the Hornets making 16 3s on 43.2% shooting. Chicago was just 10 of 28 from beyond the arc.

Josh Green played in his first game of the season for Charlotte after offseason shoulder surgery.

Chicago: Host the Pelicans on Sunday.

Charlotte: At Cleveland on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, right, looks to pass the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Drew Peterson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, right, looks to shoot against Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, right, controls the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to shoot over Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

DETROIT (AP) — Isaiah Stewart scored 17 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Detroit Pistons beat the Atlanta Hawks 142-115 on Friday night.

Detroit, which has won five of six, had seven players in double figures and 12 with at least seven points, tying an NBA record held by the 2018-2019 Bucks and 2021-22 Spurs. Cade Cunningham had 15 points and seven assists.

Jalen Johnson recorded his third straight triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. It was his fifth triple-double of the season, breaking Bill Bridges' franchise record from 1969-70, and the seventh of his career, tying Mookie Blaylock's team record.

Johnson also became the fifth NBA player to have 15 straight games with at least seven points, rebounds and assists, joining Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 22 points for Atlanta, which has lost four of five.

The Pistons led 69-60 at the half, but the margin could have been much larger if not for Alexander-Walker's 20 points. Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff used 11 players in the opening two quarters, and 10 of them scored.

Detroit took control on both ends in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 35-19. The Pistons shot 58.3% (14 for 24) from the field and held Atlanta to 27.3% (6 for 22). Daniels, Johnson and Okongwu were the only Hawks players to score in the quarter — the rest of the team combined to go 0 for 9.

Hawks: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Pistons: Visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/nba

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) goes to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, and guard Dyson Daniels, back right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) tries to get a shot off against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson, right, passes the ball past Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) drives against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) while going to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)