Josh Green gets the better of Josh Giddey

• Josh Green wins bragging rights against Giddey
• Ben Simmons has five boards, seven assists in loss to Lakers
• Alex Ducas was a DNP-coach's decision.

Australian Josh Green got the better of Boomers teammate Josh Giddey as the Charlotte Hornets stunned the Chicago Bulls with a 125-123 victory (Game Centre) at the United Center on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Green is the Hornets' defensive stopper at guard. He had two steals, three rebounds, two assists to go with an efficient eight points in 30 minutes.

The 24-year-old Sydneysider when 3-from-4 from the field while Giddey struggled. The Boomers starting point guard was 3-for-7 from the field and went 0-2 from three, scoring six points, to add to five rebounds and five assists.

Former NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball had 26 points in 32 minutes on 7-from-19 from the field, but a crunching 1-from-9 from three. He also had nine assists.

The Hornets dominated the first quarter, outscoring the Bulls 36-29 behind hot shooting from Miles Bridges and Nick Smith Jr. Charlotte extended their advantage in the second, taking a 73-71 lead into halftime. The Bulls scored 42 in the second quarter.

The statistics tell the story of a tightly contested matchup. Both teams shot over 50% from the field, with Charlotte holding a slight edge at 50.0% compared to Chicago's 50.5%. The Hornets' bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring the Bulls' reserves 36-35. But the most telling number was Charlotte's 16-20 performance from the free-throw line, compared to Chicago's 13-14 mark.

While Vucevic's career night (40 points on 17-from-25 shooting) will grab headlines, it was the Hornets' balanced attack that ultimately proved decisive. Ball led the way with 26 points and nine assists, while Bridges chipped in 21 points and Mark Williams dominated the glass with 19 rebounds to go along with 19 points.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ New York Knicks

37-year-old Australian forward Joe Ingles clocked up another DNP-coach's decision in the Timberwolves 116-99 road win against the New York Knicks.

Ingles got a front row seat to the return of Julius Randle but the match-up with Karl Anthony-Towns didn't eventuate as the Knicks centre was out with right hand injury.

Utah Jazz @ New Orleans Pelicans

Australian Patty Mills, 36, is back in the Jazz rotation. Utah was on the wrong side of a 13-point deficit — 136-123 — at the final buzzer but Mills logged nine minutes, went 1-from-2 from the field, both were threes. He added two assists and a board.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks

Australian rookie Alex Ducas was a DNP-coach's decision as the Thunder were clapped 106-98 by the Dallas Mavericks.

Mavericks and Boomers guard Dante Exum is still out with an injury.

Brooklyn Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers

Australian point-forward Ben Simmons was back in the line-up against the Lakers after missing the Nets beat down by the Clippers two days ago.

It was the return of D'Angelo Russell to LA after he was traded by the Lakers to the Nets. It wasn't a happy return as Lakers held on to win by a point — 102-101.

Simmons played 27 minutes, went 3-from-4 from the field, scored eight points, grabbed five boards, and dished seven assists. He also had a steal and a block.