Tre Jones Gives Chicago the Last Word in Minnesota: Bulls Return to .500 With Late Rally

MINNEAPOLIS: The Chicago Bulls did not need their returning floor general to play 40 minutes.

They needed him to make the minutes count.

Josh Giddey returned from an 11-game absence caused by a hamstring strain Thursday night and scored 21 points in 26 minutes off the bench.

Tre Jones supplied critical late-game production as Chicago defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 120–115.

The victory gave the Bulls three straight wins and restored their record to 22–22.

For a team searching for consistency after an uneven first half, the result offered evidence that a healthier rotation could change the direction of its season.

A different kind of victory

Minnesota entered the game with expectations of competing in the Western Conference playoff picture.

The Timberwolves possessed enough talent to challenge Chicago defensively and create their own scoring opportunities.

The Bulls did not dominate throughout the contest.

They needed a late response.

Jones provided an important spark, helping Chicago turn a difficult closing stretch into a five-point victory.

The result was meaningful because the Bulls had already produced impressive performances against strong opponents earlier in the season but had struggled to sustain them.

Winning a close road game against Minnesota provided another encouraging example.

Giddey's return matters

Giddey's 21 points were valuable.

His availability was even more significant.

The Bulls rely on him to create offense, rebound from the backcourt and organize possessions.

Without him, Chicago had to shift additional responsibilities onto other guards.

His return gave Billy Donovan more lineup flexibility.

Giddey also did not need to immediately resume a full starter's workload to contribute.

Chicago used him for 26 minutes, managing his return while receiving meaningful production.

The bench wins its matchup

The Bulls' reserves outscored Minnesota's bench 49–28.

That 21-point difference helped determine the result.

Bench scoring is particularly important when a team is attempting to manage injuries and rotations.

A productive second unit allows starters to rest without sacrificing offensive pressure.

Chicago received enough reserve production to overcome the Timberwolves' efforts to control the game.

Giddey's return contributed directly to that advantage.

The standings become interesting again

At 22–22, Chicago had returned to .500.

The Bulls were also within reach of teams occupying more favorable Eastern Conference positions.

That did not make them contenders.

But it changed the immediate conversation.

A club that had experienced several disappointing stretches was beginning to produce consecutive victories.

The next step is turning improved health and late-game execution into a more dependable approach.

For one evening, Chicago had enough.

Jones helped finish.

Giddey returned.

And the Bulls left Minnesota with their third consecutive victory.