Illinois basketball standout Ayo Dosunmu achieved a personal best with 29 points in a game, helping the Chicago Bulls secure a 136-126 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
In the match, Dosunmu demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy, making 12 of 18 field goals, including hitting five of seven three-pointers. This performance bolstered the Bulls to improve their record to 26-28 and extend their lead over the Hawks, who fell to 24-30 in the Eastern Conference standings.
During his collegiate career at Illinois, Dosunmu was recognized as a consensus All-American in 2021. In the game against the Hawks, he not only scored impressively but also contributed seven assists, minimized his turnovers to two, and added both a steal and a block to his stat line. His on-court impact was underscored by a team-high plus-13 in the plus/minus column, a distinction he shared with teammate Demar DeRozan, who also scored 29 points.
Selected 38th overall in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, Dosunmu has also proven his defensive prowess, notably limiting Hawks’ star player Trae Young to 19 points on a 3-for-14 shooting night.
Dosunmu’s recent performances have been especially notable given the increased playing time he’s received due to Zach LaVine’s season-ending knee injury. Since January 13, he has scored in double figures in 13 out of 14 games, averaging 15.9 points on an impressive 59.2% shooting from the field and 52.5% from three, along with averages of 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
Post-game, Dosunmu credited his offseason work and the support from his coach and teammates for his improved performance. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan praised Dosunmu’s impact, particularly highlighting his shooting preparation and decision-making during the game.
Dosunmu’s rise in his third NBA season reflects his growing significance in the Bulls’ lineup, marked by career-high averages in points and three-point shooting percentage. Alongside fellow guard Coby White, Dosunmu represents a promising aspect of the Bulls’ future, and their recent contract signings underscore their value to the franchise.
