Okoro's season-high 24 points lead short-handed Bulls past Pelicans 134-118

CHICAGO (AP) — Isaac Okoro scored a season-high 24 points, Tre Jones added 20 points and 12 assists and the depleted Chicago Bulls topped the New Orleans Pelicans 134-118 on Wednesday night.

Matas Buzelis had 19 points, Jalen Smith had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic had 17 points for a Chicago team playing without its top two scorers in Josh Giddey and Coby White, who were injured in a loss to Minnesota on Monday night and are expected to miss several games.

All five Chicago starters reached double figures, as did three bench players — Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter and Patrick Williams.

Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 31 points and Jordan Poole added 26 off the bench in the team's fifth straight loss.

The Bulls asserted their up-tempo style, scoring 25 points on the fast breaks, while holding their own with the Pelicans in the paint (60 points to 56).

Chicago leveraged New Orleans fouls in an game that often turned physical. Chicago connected on 25 of 34 on free throws for the game after struggling from the stripe in the first half.

Chicago led 97-90 entering the fourth quarter, then opened the lead to 17 points.

Giddey (left hamstring tightness) will be reevaluated in two weeks and White (right calf tightness) in one, the team said Sunday. The Bulls also said center Zach Collins (sprained right toe) will be reevaluated in 10 days. He missed Monday’s game.

Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado served the second of a two-game suspension stemming from his fight on Saturday night with Phoenix’s Mark Williams.

Chicago led 67-62 at the half.

Okoro scored 16 points in the opening 24 minutes. Williamson consistently plowed into the paint to score 20 of his, including nine in a row late in the second quarter.

Pelicans: Host Portland on Friday night.

Bulls: Host Orlando on Friday night.

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Chicago Bulls' Matas Buzelis dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

New Orleans Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears (0) drives against Chicago Bulls' Tre Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

New Orleans Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears (0) goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Isaac Okoro (35) and Tre Jones (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Isaac Okoro, right, and Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Bulls' Isaac Okoro (35) celebrates with teammate Kevin Huerter (13) during the final seconds of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama left Wednesday night's rematch with the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent left leg injury.

Wembanyama had gone to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining, but returned to the Spurs bench with 1:22 left in the game. The 7-foot-4 center was alone and walking without a limp when he returned.

It was a welcome sight for the Spurs after some tense minutes.

Wembanyama leaped to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks enter Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the game and lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward and his knee appeared to hyperextend.

Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.

The 7-foot-4 center emphatically threw his hands down at fans as ran through the tunnel.

San Antonio trainers, doctors and general manager Brian Wright followed Wembanyama to the locker room.

The Knicks beat the Spurs 124-113 on Dec. 16 to win the NBA Cup.

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

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, is fouled as he drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, tangles with New York Knicks players Mohamed Diawara and OG Anunoby during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)