Brice Sensabaugh explodes with 43 points in Jazz loss to Bulls
Jan 14, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Jazz fell 128-126 to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, but Brice Sensabaugh delivered a memorable spectacle with a 43-point performance that will go down in history. The wing in his third NBA season came off the bench and set several records despite his team’s loss at the United Center.
A historic first quarter for Sensabaugh
Sensabaugh literally set the court on fire as soon as he entered the game, scoring 21 points in just 7 minutes and 14 seconds during the first quarter. This performance is the NBA record for a reserve in the first quarter since the stat has been tracked in 1996-1997, surpassing Lance Stephenson’s 20 points in January 2022.
« Shots were falling tonight, it was a lot of fun, » Sensabaugh said after the game. The 22-year-old finished the first half with 28 points, just two short of the franchise record for a half held by Rodney Hood (30 points in 2016).
Records cascading for the young prodigy
Sensabaugh’s evening entered Jazz history on several levels. His 43 points are the second-best total for a reserve in franchise history, behind Jordan Clarkson‘s 45 points in 2022. He also set a new franchise record for a reserve on the road.
« It’s a blessing, I don’t have words to express it honestly. I’m incredibly grateful, » Sensabaugh told ABC4 Sports. « To do something like this today, it was special. It means a lot to me to be in the record books. »
BRICE SENSABAUGH TONIGHT:
43 POINTS
5 REBOUNDS
68% FG(Via @realapp) pic.twitter.com/UoFPT0hyHM
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 15, 2026
Vucevic delivers victory for Bulls in crunch time
Despite Sensabaugh’s offensive explosion (15/22 shooting, 5/10 from 3-point range, 8/8 from the free-throw line), the Bulls had the last word thanks to Nikola Vucevic. The veteran center, who scored 35 points, hit the game-winning basket with 4 seconds remaining after the Jazz tied it 126-126 on a Sensabaugh basket.
The game was breathtakingly suspenseful with 26 ties and 17 lead changes, in line with the first meeting of the season won 150-147 by Utah in double overtime. Keyonte George, who added 25 points including 15 in the final quarter, missed the potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Jazz coach Will Hardy remained encouraged despite the loss: « More than anything, I come away from this game really encouraged by our young players, their fighting spirit, their competitiveness, their connection. I really believe we’re playing a lot of good basketball. »
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