Bulls fend off Trae Young's historic night in NBA's third-highest-scoring game

ATLANTA -- Lauri Markkanen made three free throws to give Chicago the lead for good late in the fourth overtime, and the Bulls overcame Trae Young's career-high 49 points to beat the Hawks 168-161 in the third-highest-scoring game in NBA history.

The 329 combined points trailed only the 370 scored by the Pistons and Nuggets in triple overtime in December 1983 and the 337 from the Bucks and Spurs in March 1982.

Markkanen finished with 31 points and 17 rebounds. He snapped a 159-all tie by making three free throws after he was fouled by Alex Len.

"I've never been a part of a game that long," said Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who finished with a career-high 47 points. "I air-balled one because I was so damn tired."

Young, the rookie who played almost 56 minutes, had his third straight game of setting or matching his career scoring high after back-to-back games with 36 points. He added 16 assists, 8 rebounds and 9 turnovers.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Young is the first rookie with 120 points in a three-game span since Allen Iverson in April 1997.

His stat line put Young in a rare class. He is one of four players in NBA history to have put up at least 45 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in a game as a rookie. He also became the first rookie to have a 45-point, 10-assist game since Michael Jordan did so on Jan. 26, 1985.

"That was a fun game to play in. Probably one of the most fun games I've played in my career," Young said. "I'm proud of the way we fought even though we came up short."

Young and DeAndre' Bembry had turnovers in the final 30 seconds of the third overtime, preventing the Hawks from an opportunity to snap a 155-all tie.

Ryan Arcidiacono's 3-pointer forced the third overtime.

LaVine's 3-pointer gave Chicago a 139-138 lead with 1:31 remaining in the first overtime. Following Young's errant pass for a turnover, Wayne Selden made one of two free throws to increase the lead to two points.

Young's tiebreaking, step-back 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining in regulation forced the first overtime. The rookie's last-second layup tied it at 140 to force the second overtime.

Chicago led 99-88 early in the fourth period before Atlanta rallied. Young's steal and basket sparked a string of 11 straight points for a 121-116 lead.

The Bulls have the NBA's youngest roster, with an average age of 24.1 years. The Hawks made their own statement about youth by starting three rookies. Omari Spellman moved into the lineup as the third rookie, joining Young and Kevin Huerter.

However, it was the Hawks' oldest player, Vince Carter, who logged the second-most minutes on the team. At 42, Carter is the oldest player in NBA history to play at least 45 minutes in a game. 

"You know, I don't know if Vince is getting younger or what, but he's had just unbelievable games this year," Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said. "He's just a remarkable example of what our young guys should be and see."

Hawks forward John Collins, who scored 34 points in an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, was held out because of flu-like symptoms. Collins was told to rest at home as the team tried to protect other players from becoming ill.

Spellman started for Collins but didn't return after he was helped to the locker room with a sprained left ankle late in the third quarter.

There was a delay with 8:49 remaining when Huerter had a hard fall under the Bulls' basket and didn't immediately return to his feet. Huerter walked off the court without assistance and returned to the game.

Otto Porter Jr. had 31 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago.

Len had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Dewayne Dedmon had 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.