MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Coby White scored 22 points, Josh Giddey added 21 off the bench, and Jalen Smith converted two clutch free throws late to lift the Chicago Bulls to a 120-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Chicago overcame a 14-point, first-half deficit and also withstood a 13-0 run from Minnesota in the fourth quarter. White hit a clutch 3-pointer from the corner to keep it a one-point game with 1:06 to play.
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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts toward a referee during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) looks to pass the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) and center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) try to gain possession of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, left, celebrates with guard Anthony Edwards (5) after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
After White's corner 3-pointer, Minnesota committed a pair of costly turnovers in the final minute. Jaden McDaniels lost the ball out of bounds for Minnesota, and Chicago's Tre Jones made a layup at the other end with 31.1 seconds to play. Smith then converted at the line with 11 seconds remaining, and Minnesota failed to hit a shot in its next possession.
Julius Randle, who was on the injury report with left foot soreness, had a team-high 30 points for Minnesota, but also committed a late turnover. Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid each added 20 points, and McDaniels scored 16 in the loss.
After White was whistled for a travel with 2:08 to play, both teams traded baskets in the ensuing possessions. Edwards hit a shot in the lane and Smith responded with a dunk. McDaniels then converted a corner 3-pointer to put Minnesota up 115-111. But that ended up being the last points scored by the Timberwolves. Chicago went on a 9-0 run in the final 1:06.
The loss was a season-high fourth in a row for Minnesota. Chicago has won three straight.
Fouls were an issue for Minnesota. Edwards got into early foul trouble and finished with five fouls. The Bulls shot 33 free throws — hitting 27 — compared to 15 attempts at the line for the Wolves.
Bulls: Host Boston on Saturday.
Timberwolves: Host Golden State on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts toward a referee during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) looks to pass the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) and center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) try to gain possession of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, left, celebrates with guard Anthony Edwards (5) after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Senegal has won the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion.
Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final on Sunday which at one point saw fans trying to storm the field and Senegal’s players walking off the pitch to protest a penalty decision deep into second-half stoppage time.
It appeared unclear if the game could continue as fans battled with stewards.
“We all saw what happened at the end of the match but we took the decision to come back onto the pitch and give everything,” Gueye said.
Play resumed after a stoppage of 14 minutes, only for Senegal's Édouard Mendy to easily save Brahim Díaz’s attempt at a Panenka penalty when he lobbed the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s arms with the last kick of normal time.
Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time when he swept the ball into the top right corner with his left boot.
The 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium emptied quickly after the final whistle. Few were left to see the Senegalese players lift the trophy.
It’s Senegal’s second Africa Cup win. The Teranga Lions won the 2021 edition after a penalty shootout against Egypt.
There was chaos before extra time after Morocco was awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty just after Senegal had what seemed a good goal ruled out at the other end.
Senegal's goal in the second minute of stoppage time was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, who fell before Seck headed the ball off the post. Ismaila Sarr headed in the rebound.
Then Morocco claimed a penalty for a pull by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim, and it was awarded after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala checked replays.
The decision led to fights between some of the Moroccan substitutes and their opposing players with Morocco coach Walid Regragui also involved, possibly in a bid to calm the situation.
Anger spilled over among the organized group of Senegalese fans, with many jumping down among the photographers and trying to storm the field from behind one of the goals. At least one threw a chair onto the field. They were mostly held back by a long line of police.
There were also fights in the press box — possibly involving Moroccan and Senegalese fans masquerading as journalists to get accreditation — while tempers flared.
“The image we gave of African football was rather shameful,” Regragui said.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the field while Moroccan fans celebrated the penalty decision and whistled the ongoing fighting on the field.
The players returned some 14 minutes later and Brahim – Morocco's star and the tournament's top scorer with five goals – missed the chance to end Morocco's 50-year wait for the trophy.
“Football sometimes is cruel and today we lost,” Regragui said. “We know in a final you need to take the few chances that come your way. That penalty in the last seconds could have won us the title.”
Brahim was whistled by the remaining Morocco fans when he went to collect his runners-up medal.
Instead, Gueye scored Senegal's first goal from open play — rather than from penalties — in a final. This was Senegal's fourth appearance in an Africa Cup final.
“Sadio (Mané) told us to come back on and we re-mobilized,” Gueye said. "Édouard then made the save, we stayed focused, got the goal and won the game.”
Before the game, the Senegalese Football Federation decried a lack of “fair play” from the Moroccan hosts before the final, citing an alleged lack of security, problems with the team hotel, training facilities and ability to get tickets for its supporters.
Senegal was without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra, and dealt a further blow before kickoff when Krépin Diatta and Ousseynou Niang both got injured in the warmup. Diatta had been due to start at right back.
Senegalese anger at the penalty decision came after Morocco also seemed to benefit from favorable refereeing calls in previous games. Regragui angrily rejected suggestions the home team was being favored.
Thiaw's post-game press conference was called off because of journalists shouting and arguing when he emerged for their questions. Their arguments continued after Thiaw left the podium.
For Morocco, a 2030 World Cup co-host, defeat is a demoralizing blow. The kingdom has invested heavily in soccer facilities and infrastructure. One of the most aggressive infrastructure buildouts in African sporting history fueled protests in October from mostly young Moroccans who feel other areas are being neglected.
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
This story was first published on Jan. 19, 2026. It was updated on Jan. 23, 2026 to correct that Ismaila Sarr, not Moussa Niakhaté, scored a goal in stoppage time that was disallowed.
Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw holds the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match agaisnt Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's Idrissa Gueye celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Sebegalese players celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Moroccan players lie after losing the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's Sadio Mane celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's and Morocco[s players scuffle after a penalty call during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's and Morocco[s players scuffle after a penalty call during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal fans react during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Senegal's and Morocco[s players scuffle after a penalty call during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
English actor Idris Elba performs during a closing ceremony ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A general view of the closing ceremony ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A general view of the closing ceremony ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Darren Jason Watkins Jr., American YouTuber known as IShowSpeed, runs during the closing ceremony ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal players walk onto the pitch before the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Morocco fan waits for the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal fans wait for the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
