NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls and their Windy City counterparts may be affiliated, but they’re basically polar opposites.
As the Bulls try to deal with one dramatic headline after the next, the Windy City crew has been one of the best stories of the G-League this season. Led by players like Marko Simonovic and Malcolm Hill, the Windy City Bulls were one of just eight teams to qualify for the tournament earlier this month. And they’ve only made more noise since they arrived in Las Vegas.
After taking care of business against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in a game where seven players scored in double figures, they advanced to a tough semifinal matchup with the Cleveland Charge. The game ended up being quite the back-and-forth affair on Tuesday night, with the Charge getting lots of help from 2022 second-round pick Isaiah Mobley (24 points) and Virginia standout Mamadi Diakite (27 points). Other notable NBA names with NBA experience include Sharife Cooper and Sam Merrill.
However, with the game on the line tied 93-93, the Windy City’s Carlik Jones took matters into his own hands. Coming off the Simonovic screen, Jones dribbled his way to the free throw line to sink the game-winning shot and send the Bulls to the Showcase Cup Final.
Instantly swallowed in a group hug from his teammates, Jones’ clutch shot only further signified why the Bulls’ front office recently decided to hand him Kostas Antetokounmpo’s two-way contract. The small point guard has averaged 20.2 points and 7.2 assists on some elite shotmaking this season.
Chicago is now set to battle the Ontario Clippers for the Showcase Cup, which will include a $100,000 prize for the winning team. The Clippers affiliate is led by two 2021 second-round picks in Brandon Boston Jr. and Jason Preston. The two combined for an impressive 56 points in their semifinal victory over the Maine Celtics.
You can watch full highlights of the semifinal game below:
