NBA: Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Apr 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls’ Coby White sounds off on Nikola Vucevic

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 1:27 PM ET

The “cardiac” Chicago Bulls flirted with another disaster on Wednesday night.

The Bulls were outscored 39-24 in the fourth quarter before Nikola Vučević hit a game-winning three to give Chicago a 122-121 win over the 6-9 Portland Trail Blazers in front of 17,795 fans at the Moda Center.

Chicago went 2-1 during its West Coast trip, dropping a game they should have won against the Utah Jazz but upsetting the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Those games were decided by a total of seven points.

Per K.C. Johnson of CHSN, the Bulls are tied for having the third most clutch games in the NBA this season and are 6-4 in such games.

Vucevic was the hero on Thursday night, leading Chicago with 27 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

The Cardiac Bulls strike again!@Plus500 | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/vrUgyYMoEV

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 20, 2025

Chicago Bulls’ Coby White on Nikola Vucevic

Coby White made his second appearance of the season against the Trailblazers, adding 25 points and seven assists in 27 minutes. Following the game-winning basket, White praised Vucevic for what he brings to the Bulls.

“He’s our connector,” White said. “He’s our leader. He makes big-time plays. He’s super important to what we do. We rely on him. He has a high IQ and good feel for the game. He’s so dangerous. He can roll. He can pop. He’s a really, really good basketball player.”

Coby White on Nikola Vucevic: "He's our connector. He's our leader. He makes big-time plays. He's super important to what we do. We rely on him. He has a high IQ and good feel for the game. He's so dangerous. He can roll. He can pop. He's a really, really good basketball player."

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 20, 2025

Vucevic, 35, is averaging 16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season. He’s helping to keep the Bulls in the early playoff hunt.

However, Chicago could use the veteran big man as a trade asset before the deadline. While White knows what he can bring to the team, the Bulls aren’t going anywhere if Vucevic is the connector they need to beat teams like Portland.

Nov 19, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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