Despite a season high 40 points by center Nikola Vučević, the Chicago Bulls managed to lose another tough game on their home floor by the score of 125-123 to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, January 17, at the UC.

According to Bulls PR, Vucevic went 17 of 24 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds, marking the fifth 40-point game of his career.

The Bulls said Vučević is the first Bulls player since 1999-00 (Elton Brand) to tally a 40-point/10-rebound game while shooting .650 FG% or better.

The Bulls also said Vučević added 10 defensive rebounds, eclipsing 7,500 defensive rebounds for his career. Vučević ranks second among all active NBA players in career defensive rebounds, trailing only LeBron James (9,690), added Bulls PR.

The Bulls said the first half featured eight lead changes and six ties with the largest lead being 12 points held by the Hornets (47-59). At the half, Chicago trailed Charlotte, 71-73.

The Bulls rode a 14-4 run between 6:38 in the third quarter and 3:29 in the third to give Chicago its first lead of the game (97-96) since 35.7 seconds to play in the second quarter (71-70), added Bulls PR.

At the end of three frames, the Bulls said Chicago lead Charlotte, 105-98 and opened the fourth quarter on a 12-0 run (11:45, fourth quarter to 8:20, fourth quarter) to regain the lead, 103-110. Chicago responded with a 14-3 run between 4:47 in the fourth quarter to 1:38 in the fourth to cut Charlotte’s lead to three points (121-124), added Bulls PR.

The Bulls said on the team’s final possession of the game, Chicago had three shot attempts to either tie or win the game (Vučević three-point attempt from the top of the arc; Zach Lavine 20-foot jump shot from the right elbow; Ayo Dosunmu attempted tip-in as time expired) but were unable to put the ball in the basket, added Bulls PR.

Final Score: Bulls 123, Hornets 125

With the loss, the Bulls are now 18-24 on the season. In addition to their game on Friday, Chicago played Portland on Sunday night and would lose 113-102 on the road.

The Bulls are now 18-25 on the season. Portland’s Scoot Henderson finished with a game-high 25 points in the victory over the Bulls on Sunday.

Chicago now has a season high fifth straight loss and will play the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, January 20, on the road. Game time 9:30 p.m.