— In Chicago, the Bulls defeated the Dallas Mavericks 125-107 to end a three-game losing streak. Coby White led Chicago with 22 points and Ayo Dosunmu added 20 as the Bulls dominated in transition and never trailed. Chicago placed seven players in double figures, shot 51.5% from the field and outscored Dallas 38-8 in fast-break points. The Mavericks played without the injured Anthony Davis and lost coach Jason Kidd to an ejection early in the game.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Bulls 125, Mavericks 107 on Jan 10, 2026 in Chicago.
- Coby White scored 22 points and Ayo Dosunmu had 20; Nikola Vucevic and Matas Buzelis each added 15.
- Chicago had seven players reach double figures and shot 51.5% from the field as a team.
- Bulls dominated the break, outscoring Dallas 38-8 on fast breaks.
- Dallas was missing Anthony Davis (left-hand ligament injury from Thursday vs. Utah) and saw coach Jason Kidd ejected in the first quarter.
- Rookie Cooper Flagg finished with 11 points, one rebound and shot 4-for-13; Ryan Nembhard had 16 points and six assists for Dallas.
- The Bulls closed the fourth with a 21-4 run to stretch a 10-point margin into a 115-88 advantage, their largest of the night.
Background
The Bulls entered the game looking to halt a three-game slide and to reassert their transition offense, which had been a strength earlier in the season. Chicago’s rotation has shown depth at times this year, and the seven players in double figures against Dallas illustrated the roster’s balanced scoring capacity. The Mavericks, meanwhile, have been navigating personnel disruption; the recap notes Anthony Davis was sidelined with ligament damage to his left hand suffered in Thursday’s loss to Utah. Dallas had won two straight prior to the recent setbacks, so the loss sends them into a brief reset.
Coach ejections and officiating controversies have become recurring talking points across the league, and Thursday’s injury combined with Friday and Saturday’s travel schedule left the Mavericks vulnerable. Jason Kidd’s sideline conduct — and how officials manage coach reviews or challenge windows — is a secondary storyline that touched this matchup. For Chicago, the result provided a clear response to recent losses: improved pace, efficient shooting (51.5% overall), and a dominant fast-break margin that decided the game.
Main Event
The Bulls grabbed and held the lead from tip to final buzzer, never relinquishing control. Early in the first quarter a sideline altercation culminated in the ejection of Mavericks coach Jason Kidd after referee Scott Foster assessed two technical fouls; that sequence removed Dallas’ head coach midway through the opening period. Without their leader on the bench, the Mavericks were already hampered by the absence of Anthony Davis and struggled to find consistent interior production.
Chicago extended its lead in the second quarter: a 13-2 spurt widened a seven-point margin to 59-41 on a Matas Buzelis fast-break layup with roughly four minutes remaining before halftime. The Bulls’ cohesion on both ends — forcing turnovers and converting in transition — produced a large halftime cushion. Nikola Vucevic and Buzelis each scored 15 points, supporting the guards and keeping the offense balanced throughout the night.
Dallas attempted to rally but never overcame Chicago’s transition edge. Rookie Cooper Flagg had an off shooting night, finishing 4-for-13 for 11 points and one rebound, while Ryan Nembhard tried to offset the absences with 16 points and six assists. The fourth quarter closed the game emphatically for Chicago: a 21-4 run turned a 10-point contest into a 115-88 lead and effectively put the game out of reach.
Analysis & Implications
Chicago’s performance showcased three interconnected strengths: depth, transition scoring, and efficient shot selection. Having seven scorers in double figures is evidence of the bench and role players contributing meaningful minutes; the 51.5% shooting night amplified the margin of victory. The 38-8 fast-break advantage was decisive—when Chicago pushed the tempo, Dallas repeatedly paid the price.
For Dallas, the combination of an injured key player and an early ejection altered game plan and rotation. Anthony Davis’ left-hand ligament damage (sustained vs. Utah on Thursday) forced lineup adjustments that limited interior defense and scoring. The coach ejection removed a primary in-game strategist and may have affected situational decisions in the first half, compounding Dallas’ challenges.
Short term, the Bulls gain momentum and confidence from a comprehensive win; they travel to Houston next and should aim to sustain the transition focus and balanced scoring. The Mavericks, who host Brooklyn on Monday, must address the recovery timeline for Davis and how to stabilize bench and rookie minutes — Cooper Flagg’s 4-for-13 shooting night is one data point in a larger development curve for the rookie.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Bulls | Mavericks |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 125 | 107 |
| Field Goal % | 51.5% | (not listed) |
| Fast-Break Points | 38 | 8 |
| Top Scorer | Coby White (22) | Ryan Nembhard (16) |
| Players in Double Figures | 7 | (not listed) |
The table highlights key numbers that shaped the contest. Chicago’s superior field goal percentage and an enormous fast-break advantage distinguish this game from a typical close matchup. The Bulls’ depth produced seven double-figure scorers, spreading defensive attention and enabling efficient offense. Dallas’ box score signs — reliance on a few scorers and a struggling rookie night for Flagg — underscore why the Mavericks could not mount a consistent comeback.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame reports and recaps emphasized Chicago’s transition dominance and the official action that removed Kidd from the contest. Below are concise, factual highlights from published game coverage.
The Bulls outscored the Mavericks 38-8 in fast-break points, a margin that proved decisive.
ESPN game recap (media)
Jason Kidd was ejected after being assessed two technicals by referee Scott Foster in the first quarter.
ESPN game recap (media)
Anthony Davis was listed as injured with ligament damage to his left hand, an issue noted from Thursday’s loss to Utah.
AP NBA hub (news agency)
Unconfirmed
- The roster listing of Anthony Davis with Dallas is unusual in public records; the team absence and injury report are presented in game coverage but may require confirmation from Dallas’ official injury report.
- The precise internal timeline and medical prognosis for Davis’ left-hand ligament damage beyond the initial diagnosis have not been disclosed publicly.
- Details about whether a formal challenge request was refused or ruled out by the league office in the goaltending sequence remain unclear in the available recaps.
Bottom Line
Chicago’s 125-107 win on Jan 10, 2026 hinged on transition offense, balanced scoring, and efficient shooting. Coby White’s 22 points and Ayo Dosunmu’s 20 anchored a performance that featured seven Bulls in double figures and a 38-8 fast-break advantage that the Mavericks could not overcome.
The Mavericks face immediate questions about personnel and sideline management: Anthony Davis’ left-hand issue and Jason Kidd’s ejection altered Dallas’ approach and contributed to the loss. As the season progresses, both teams will take different lessons: Chicago can build on the depth and pace that produced this victory, while Dallas must stabilize rotations and confirm injury timelines before returning to form.
Sources
- ESPN game recap (media coverage of the game and ejection details)
- AP NBA hub (news agency reporting and league context)