Jazz Outlast Bulls in NBA’s Highest-Scoring Game of the Season

In a thrilling double-overtime showdown on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Utah Jazz defeated the Chicago Bulls 150-147, marking the highest-scoring game of the current NBA season. The victory was spearheaded by a monumental 47-point performance from Lauri Markkanen and a clutch game-winning three-pointer from rookie Keyonte George.

Markkanen’s Historic Scoring Spree Continues

Lauri Markkanen delivered a career-defining performance, logging 47 points on 15-of-33 shooting from the field, including 6-of-17 from beyond the arc and an impressive 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. Beyond his scoring prowess, Markkanen contributed significantly across the board with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 46 minutes of play. This marks his third consecutive game setting a new season-high in scoring, showcasing an incredible offensive surge.

Over his last three outings, the 28-year-old Finnish forward has been on an absolute tear, averaging 40.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. His season average now stands at a career-high 29.3 points per game, placing him fifth in the NBA and putting him on a historic pace for the Utah Jazz franchise. According to digitaltrendstoday.com, this scoring rate could etch his name into the Jazz record books alongside legends like Karl Malone, Adrian Dantley, and Pete Maravich, who holds the top mark with 31.1 points per game in the 1976-77 season.

A Double-Overtime Epic Against the Bulls

The game against the Chicago Bulls was a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes and ties. The Bulls held a 70-61 advantage at halftime, but the Jazz, fueled by Markkanen’s 13 points in the third quarter, managed to cut the deficit to 98-94 heading into the final period. Utah then erased a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit with an 8-0 run, taking a 102-101 lead. Markkanen’s free throw with 19 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 127, forcing overtime.

In the first overtime, the Jazz led 136-132 in the final minute before a Matas Buzelis dunk and a Coby White layup with 0.2 seconds remaining tied the score at 136, sending the game into a second extra period. The drama continued in double-overtime, with White again tying the game at 147 with two free throws with 8.4 seconds left. However, Keyonte George, who finished with 32 points (including six in the second overtime), sank a crucial three-pointer with just two seconds on the clock to secure the 150-147 victory for Utah. Bulls’ Nikola Vučević missed a potential tying shot at the buzzer.

Key Contributors for Both Sides:

• Utah Jazz:
• Lauri Markkanen: 47 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
• Keyonte George: 32 points (game-winning 3-pointer)
• Isaiah Collier: 16 points
• Brice Sensabaugh: 16 points
• Kevin Love: 10 points
• Svi Mykhaiuluk: 10 points
• Chicago Bulls:
• Coby White: 27 points
• Josh Giddey: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists (triple-double)
• Nikola Vučević: 21 points
• Matas Buzelis: 18 points
• Ayo Dosunmu: 18 points
• Julian Phillips: 10 points

Recent Form and Future Outlook

This hard-fought win marks the Jazz’s second victory in their last three games, a positive turn after a challenging stretch where they lost six of seven. The Chicago Bulls, conversely, extended their losing streak to five games. The Jazz’s resilience was also evident in their previous game on November 13, 2025, where despite a 132-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Markkanen still put up 40 points, supported by rookie Ace Bailey’s career-high 21 points. Head coach Will Hardy praised his team’s fighting spirit, noting their ability to climb back from an 18-point deficit.

Markkanen’s exceptional play has not gone unnoticed, with recent trade speculation linking him to teams like the Portland Trail Blazers. However, for now, his focus remains on leading the Jazz, who are set to visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Bulls will play at Denver on Monday night.