Warriors beat Bulls 99-94 as defense locks down, Mitchell’s potential game-tying shot rimmed out in final moments

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Chicago Bulls 99-94 on Sunday, holding firm defensively in the final minutes to prevent a Bulls rally. Despite a slow start that saw them score just 12 points in the opening quarter, the Warriors ‘ lockdown late-game defense proved decisive when it mattered most.

Warriors ‘ Slow Start Turns Into Defensive Showcase

The Warriors came out flat in the opening period, managing just 12 points in the first quarter against Chicago. However, the team rallied by making crucial adjustments and leaning heavily on their defensive intensity as the game progressed. Despite the sluggish offensive start, Golden State’ s depth and defensive versatility allowed them to stay competitive throughout.

The turning point came as the Warriors ‘ defensive rotations tightened in the third and fourth quarters. Players rotated more aggressively on the perimeter while maintaining strong help defense in the paint, forcing the Bulls into difficult possessions down the stretch.

Defensive Lockdown Prevents Bulls Rally in Fourth Quarter

Chicago mounted a serious comeback attempt in the final period, with the game remaining tight as the minutes ticked away. The Bulls ‘ offensive rhythm, which had shown improvement during the middle quarters, suddenly stalled under the Warriors ‘ powerful defensive pressure.

When Mitchell missed his potential game-tying attempt late in the fourth, it symbolized Chicago’ s inability to execute down the stretch. The Warriors ‘ defense generated timely turnovers and forced poor shot selection, holding the Bulls to just 94 points—a testament to Golden State’ s suffocating defensive schemes.

Statistic	Warriors	Bulls
Final Score	99	94
First Quarter Points	12	—
Fourth Quarter Defense	Dominant	Stalled
Late-Game Moment	Held Strong	Mitchell Missed

Chicago’ s Offensive Struggles in Critical Moments

The Bulls came into Sunday’ s matchup losers of 6 straight games, and their inability to execute during critical possessions against defending defense highlighted their offensive inconsistencies. Chicago had opportunities to climb back into the game but couldn’ t capitalize on them consistently.

The Warriors ‘ defensive scheme specifically targeted Chicago’ s perimeter shooting, forcing the Bulls into longer possessions and contested shots. By the final quarter, the fatigue was evident as the Bulls ‘ ball movement slowed and shot selection deteriorated significantly.

Defensive Excellence as the Difference Maker

While the Warriors ‘ offense took time to find rhythm, especially after that concerning 12-point first quarter, it was defense that carried Golden State to victory. The team’ s ability to tighten rotations, deny space, and force turnovers in the final minutes proved decisive.

This victory underscores an important lesson for the Warriors: defensive intensity can overcome early offensive sluggishness when properly executed. With several key players unavailable for this contest, the team’ s collective defensive effort became even more critical to the outcome.

What Does This Win Mean for Both Teams ‘ Seasons Moving Forward?

For Golden State, this triumph demonstrates resilience and the depth of their defensive arsenal. The Warriors showed they can win games where they don’ t shoot the ball particularly well, relying instead on lockdown perimeter defense and help rotations. This versatility will be crucial heading into the final weeks of the regular season.

“The Warriors overcame a rough start, scoring just 12 points in the first quarter, before prevailing 99-94 as Donovan Mitchell missed a potential game-tying shot in the closing moments.”

— NBA.com Game Recap, December 7, 2025

Sources

• NBA.com – Official game recap and box score
• ESPN – Live coverage and game statistics
• CBS Sports – Game highlights and analysis