Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Struggles in limited run Thursday
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Buzelis posted six points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 15 minutes during Thursday's 116-110 victory over Brooklyn.
The rookie first-round pick has been less involved over his last two outings as a result of Patrick Williams returning from a nine-game absence due to a quadriceps injury. Buzelis has accumulated only 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists while shooting 6-for-16 from the field across 39 total minutes in that two-game span. In the 20-year-old forward's previous five matchups, he had averaged 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks across 29.4 minutes per contest. Williams and Julian Phillips could continue to take more minutes away from the rookie, though Buzelis will likely still carry a significant role regardless.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Hits for 17 against Cavs
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Buzelis recorded 17 points (7-17 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one block over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 139-117 loss to the Cavaliers.
The 11th overall pick in the 2024 Draft has adapted well to his new starting role. Over 11 games since shifting into the starting five, Buzelis is averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.2 threes and 0.8 blocks in 27.2 minutes a contest. The 20-year-old has plenty of room for growth in his production and skills -- he's shooting just 44.3 percent from the floor and 23.6 percent from three-point range during that stretch.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Full stat line Sunday
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Buzelis registered 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 30 minutes during Sunday's 127-112 loss to Indiana.
Buzelis provided a balanced output in his 10th start of the season, continuing to build on a promising month of February. The rookie first-rounder remains a work in progress on both ends of the floor, but the 24-37 Bulls could be inclined to allow him to stick with the starting lineup going forward. As a member of Chicago's first unit, Buzelis has averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers in 26.8 minutes but is shooting just 25.0 percent from deep.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Continues excellent play
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Buzelis finished Saturday's 132-111 loss to the Warriors with 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes.
After scoring in single digits in 23 straight games, Buzelis has reached the double-digit plateau in six straight games. During that stretch, the rookie has averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.7 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. Buzelis has drawn back-to-back starts and played at least 29 minutes in three consecutive contests.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Efficient in limited run
Rotowire
Buzelis accumulated six points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over 12 minutes during Saturday's 109-97 loss to the 76ers.
Buzelis received fewer than 20 minutes of playing time for the 16th consecutive contest. With the Bulls likely to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline, the 20-year-old could be in line for more playing time in the latter half of the season. Over his last five outings, Buzelis has averaged 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Ties career high with three blocks
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Buzelis posted eight points (4-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt), five rebounds and three blocks across 17 minutes during Wednesday's 110-94 loss to the Hawks.
Although Buzelis hasn't scored double-digit points since Dec. 5, the rookie forward is making a strong defensive impact, recording multiple blocks in 10 separate outings this season. Still, Buzelis' overall efficiency is concerning since he's shooting just 38.1 percent from the field in 2024-25.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Returns to parent club
Rotowire
The Bulls recalled Buzelis from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Saturday.
Buzelis recorded 21 points (8-24 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Friday's 98-95 loss to the Texas Legends. Buzelis should continue to operate as one of Chicago's primary bench options in their forward rotation.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Good to go Saturday
Rotowire
Buzelis (illness) is available for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Buzelis will return Saturday from a one-game absence due to an illness. The rookie first-round pick has seen his minutes off the bench increase over his last 15 games, during which he has averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds over 17.5 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Buzelis (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Atlanta, Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network reports.
Buzelis will miss his second game of the season due to the illness, and his next chance to suit up will come Saturday against Milwaukee. With the rookie joining Lonzo Ball (illness), Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) and Josh Giddey (ankle) on the sideline, Talen Horton-Tucker, Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry are candidates for increased roles.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Will play Friday
Rotowire
Buzelis (nose) is available for Friday's game against the Pacers, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Buzelis suffered a nose contusion, and while he didn't suffer a fracture, there's a chance he'll wear a mask Friday. Buzelis has been earning more minutes of late, and he's averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks across 17.6 minutes per game across his last five outings. He posted a career-high 20 points Dec. 2 in a win over the Nets.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Delivers career-high mark in loss
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Buzelis recorded 14 points (6-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block in 29 minutes during Saturday's 142-131 loss to the Grizzlies.
Buzelis scored in double digits for just the second time this season, and this was the rookie's best scoring mark of the campaign. As good as he looked Saturday, Buzelis' playing time has been inconsistent, and he's played more than 15 minutes just five times all season long. That's enough reason to avoid rostering Buzelis in most formats, as he doesn't see enough time to be a valuable fantasy contributor in most formats.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Dominant in G League loss
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Buzelis produced 24 points (11-21 FG, 2-8 3Pt), 10 rebounds and two assists across 34 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 G league loss to the Motor City Cruise.
Buzelis briefly joined Windy City for its matchup against the Cruise, during which the rookie led the squad in points, rebounds and three-pointers made. The 20-year-old has produced a limited impact with the parent club this season, in which he has averaged 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds across 8.5 minutes per game over 12 regular-season appearances.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Briefly headed back to G League
Rotowire
The Bulls assigned Buzelis to the G League's Windy City Bulls on Saturday. He will play in Saturday's game versus the Motor City Cruise and then be recalled to the NBA.
Buzelis will play for Windy City in Saturday's game against the Motor City Cruise and will be recalled ahead of Chicago's home game Sunday versus the Rockets. Buzelis was drafted No. 11 overall by the Bulls in the 2024 NBA Draft but is averaging just 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.5 minutes across 12 NBA appearances.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Sent to G League
Rotowire
The Bulls assigned Buzelis to the Windy City Bulls of the G League on Saturday.
Buzelis is averaging just 1.0 points in 5.6 minutes across his five NBA appearances this season. The rookie forward should receive increased opportunities with Chicago's G League affiliate.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Buzelis (shin) is available for Friday's preseason game, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Buzelis will return to action Friday after missing Chicago's previous preseason outing with a shin contusion. The rookie forward is expected to be one of the team's primary bench options in 2024-25.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Goes for 28 in SL
Rotowire
Buzelis posted 28 points (10-22 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes during Sunday's 92-82 loss to the Warriors in Summer League.
Buzelis expanded upon his 15-point performance against the Bucks on Saturday with a 28-point outburst Sunday against Golden State. Buzelis was able to find his shot Sunday, tying for a game-high four three-pointers made after missing all four attempts in his previous outing. The 11th overall pick could see a substantial role for the Bulls this season with their uncertainty across the roster.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Scores 15 points in win
Rotowire
Buzelis notched 15 points (4-15 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-11 FT) with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in Saturday's 96-89 win over the Bucks in the Las Vegas Summer League.
The No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Buzelis could potentially have a lot of opportunity during his rookie season with the Bulls recently moving on from DeMar DeRozan. Buzelis' playmaking ability combined with his size at 6-foot-9 makes him very intriguing, but he will have to improve his jumper after struggling in that regard with the G League Ignite last season.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Selected by Chicago at No. 11
Rotowire
Buzelis was selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Bulls.
Buzelis is a versatile wing with nice size at 6-foot-9. There's some point-forward upside to his game due to his natural feel as a passer and his ability to make plays in transition. He struggled shooting with the G League Ignite, however, going 24-for-88 (27%) from three and 38-of-56 (68%) from the charity stripe. Improving in that area will be crucial for him to realize his potential. As a defender, he's a mixed bag, able to clean up for his teammates as a weak-side helper but not necessarily a great one-on-one stopper. Buzelis may not be a massive impact player out of the gate in Chicago, but he should have a chance to play real minutes and iron out his game.
