The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they erased them. On Thursday, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, the Heat rolled to a 143-107 victory in an Emirates NBA Cup Chicago group stage game, marking the Bulls’ worst loss of the season and the Heat’s highest-scoring game of the year. The 36-point margin wasn’t just a stat — it was a statement. And at the center of it all? 21-year-old rookie Kel'el Ware, who dropped 20 points and 14 rebounds, turning heads with a performance that felt older than his years.
A Night of Brutal Efficiency
The Heat didn’t just shoot well — they shot with purpose. They made 17 three-pointers, the kind of volume that turns defenses into spectators. Norman Powell, the 32-year-old Canadian sharpshooter, added 19 points and two steals, showing he’s more than just a veteran presence — he’s a catalyst. But it was Ware who became the story. A second-year big man who entered the game averaging just 8.2 points per game, he outworked Chicago’s frontcourt like a man possessed. His 14 rebounds included seven on the offensive glass — a silent, relentless grind that kept Miami’s offense alive when the three-pointers weren’t falling."He’s not just big," said one anonymous Miami assistant coach after the game. "He’s got hands like glue and a motor that never quits. You can’t coach that. You either have it or you don’t. He’s got it."
The Bulls, meanwhile, looked lost. Ayo Dosunmu, their 25-year-old point guard, fought hard with 23 points and three threes, but even his best efforts couldn’t mask the team’s structural flaws. Chicago’s defense collapsed under Miami’s size and pace. When Ware rolled to the basket, the Bulls sent help — and then got punished by open shooters. When they stayed home, Ware dunked over them. There was no good answer.
Size, Speed, and Swagger
CHGO Sports’ analysts didn’t hold back. "They got beat by a Heat team that wanted it a heck of a lot more," one said during their postgame breakdown. "It wasn’t about rest days or back-to-backs. It was about hunger." The Heat’s roster depth was on full display. Beyond Ware and Powell, Pella Larson finished with 16 points off the bench, and Kevin Herder — who’d been benched in favor of rookie Bzelis — still managed to hit a clutch three in the third quarter. The Bulls, by contrast, looked like a team playing for minutes, not momentum. Their starting center, Davon Mitchell, was outmuscled all night. His 12 points came on 5-of-16 shooting. The Heat’s bench outscored Chicago’s 52-31.What made this more than just a lopsided win? It was the timing. The Emirates NBA Cup is supposed to be a tune-up — a chance to test lineups, not expose them. But for Chicago, this wasn’t a test. It was a wake-up call. Their 107 points were below their season average. Their three-point percentage (31.4%) was a disaster. Their turnover count (19) was a recipe for disaster against a team like Miami.
The Ripple Effect
The Heat’s record improved to 10-6, putting them firmly in the Eastern Conference’s top four. For the Bulls, at 8-7, the loss drops them into a crowded middle tier where every game matters. With the NBA Cup group stage wrapping up next week, Miami now controls its destiny. Chicago? They’re fighting just to avoid the play-in tournament."This isn’t about one game," said former NBA executive and analyst Marcus Johnson in a postgame interview. "It’s about identity. The Heat have one. They play hard, they play together, they play with physicality. The Bulls? They’re still trying to figure out who they are. Is it Dosunmu? Is it the young guys? Is it the coach’s system? Right now, the answer is: nobody knows."
And then there’s Ware. At 6’11", 220 pounds, with wingspan that rivals NBA legends, he’s the kind of player teams build around. He’s not flashy. He doesn’t post up. He doesn’t dribble. He just shows up — every night — and makes the hard plays. His 20-point, 14-rebound night was the first double-double by a Heat rookie since Bam Adebayo in 2018. And unlike Adebayo, Ware didn’t come in as a lottery pick. He was a second-round steal. That’s the kind of story that changes franchises.
What’s Next?
The Heat and Bulls will meet again on December 18 in Miami — a game that now carries extra weight. If Chicago doesn’t fix their defense, their rebounding, and their mental toughness, that game could be another 40-point shellacking. For Miami, the question isn’t whether they can win — it’s whether they can stay healthy. Powell has battled ankle issues. Ware’s minutes are being monitored. And with the NBA’s new load-management rules, rest days are no longer optional.One thing’s clear: the Heat aren’t just playing for the Cup. They’re playing for respect. And after this performance, no one’s doubting them anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kel'el Ware’s performance compare to other NBA rookies this season?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game was the best by any rookie this season in terms of efficiency — he shot 10-of-14 from the field and grabbed 14 rebounds in just 28 minutes. Only two other rookies — Victor Wembanyama and Dereck Lively II — have posted double-doubles with more rebounds, but none have done it with his combination of pace, timing, and defensive impact. His 7 offensive rebounds alone were the most by any rookie in a single game since 2021.
Why was the 36-point loss so damaging for the Chicago Bulls?
It wasn’t just the margin — it was the context. This was the Bulls’ largest deficit of the season, and it came at home against a team they’re expected to compete with for playoff positioning. The loss exposed their lack of interior defense, poor transition coverage, and over-reliance on Ayo Dosunmu’s scoring. With the Eastern Conference tighter than ever, every loss like this erodes confidence and impacts seeding.
What role does the Emirates NBA Cup play in the NBA season?
The Emirates NBA Cup is a mid-season tournament that awards a $1 million prize to the champion and grants bonus playoff seeding points to top finishers. While it’s not as prestigious as the playoffs, it’s become a crucial evaluation tool for coaches. Teams use it to test lineups, evaluate young players like Ware, and gauge chemistry. For the Heat, this win was a statement; for the Bulls, it was a red flag.
Is Norman Powell’s recent performance a sign of a career resurgence?
Absolutely. After averaging just 10.3 points last season with the Clippers, Powell is now scoring 18.7 per game this year — a 80% increase. His ability to create his own shot off the dribble and finish in traffic has improved dramatically. Miami’s offense, which struggled with spacing last year, now thrives with him as a secondary playmaker. If he keeps this up, he could earn a spot in the All-Star Game — something he’s never achieved.
How has the Miami Heat’s roster changed since last season?
Miami added Powell in free agency, drafted Kel'el Ware in the second round, and traded for veteran guard Caleb Martin, who’s now their third-leading scorer. They also re-signed Bam Adebayo to a max extension. The result? A team with more size, better depth, and a clear identity — something they lacked last year when they barely made the playoffs. They’re no longer just a team built on hustle — they’re built to win.
What does this game mean for the Chicago Bulls’ future?
It’s a turning point. If the Bulls don’t address their defensive rotations and interior defense in the next two weeks, they risk falling out of playoff contention. General manager Marc Eversley has already hinted at possible trades before the February deadline. The pressure is on coach Billy Donovan to find chemistry — and fast. Otherwise, this season could turn into another lost year in a long line of them.