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Oct
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Giddey dishes 11 assists, closes out Pistons in clutch
Australian Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket for a layup during the second half against the Detroit Pistons on October 23, 2025 (AEDT) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Highlights
Australian Josh Giddey’s clutch play lifts Bulls past Pistons 115–111 on NBA opening night.
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Australian Josh Giddey, fresh off signing a USD $100M extension, came up big in the clutch to lead the Chicago Bulls to an opening night 115-111 win against NBA arch rival Detroit Pistons at home.
Giddey, 23, re-entered the fourth quarter with 5:08 to go with the Bulls up 103-96. The Pistons went on a 7-2 run but Giddey delivered his 11th assist to Nikola Vučević with 1:31 to go to put the Bulls up two (111-109) and then made four clutch free throws from six attempts in the final 34 seconds to seal the win.
5:08 to 0:00 (Bulls up 103–95):
- 4:14 — Assist: Hit Nikola Vučević for a 12-footer (CHI 105–98).
- 2:54 — Pistons pull level (105–105) amid Detroit surge.
- 1:31 — Assist: Fed Vučević for a 2-ft hook to break the 109–109 tie (CHI 111–109).
- 0:34.4 — Fouled; made 1/2 FT (CHI 112–109).
- 0:13.8 — Fouled again; 2/2 FT (CHI 114–111).
- 0:03.1 — Secured the defensive rebound, drew the foul, then split FTs (1/2) to set the final margin (CHI 115–111).
- After a shaky opening minute (miss, turnover, foul), Giddey settled the offense late:
- 2 clutch assists → both to Vučević, including the go-ahead bucket at 1:31.
- 4 points at the line in the final 35 seconds, including Chicago’s last four points (0:34.4, 0:13.8, 0:03.1).
- Game-sealing board at 0:03.1 before the final FT.
Giddey finished with 19 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and a block in 29 minutes. But he did have six turnovers and five fouls. He was +6.
Giddey’s fourth started rough but finished poised and clutch: he created the decisive basket, controlled the closing possessions, and iced the game at the stripe while grabbing the key rebound to end Detroit’s last threat.
Detroit made it a contest late after trailing 35-19 after the first quarter, almost running down the Bulls in the fourth, 32-21.
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