Buzelis provided nine points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 20 minutes during Friday's 136-122 win over the Hawks.
Buzelis played at least 20 minutes for the first time in more than two weeks, a welcome sign for Bulls fans. With Patrick Williams sidelined due to a foot injury, head coach Billy Donovan went on record stating that he expects Buzelis to play more for the time being. We have yet to see a lot from the rookie, but the next stretch of games could be a great opportunity for him to push for a more sizeable role moving forward.
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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
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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: Recalled to NBA
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Chicago recalled Buzelis from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Sunday, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Buzelis will likely spend periodic time in the G League to continue his development, as he's currently not a major fixture in Chicago's rotation. He's yet to play more than 10 minutes in a regular-season game, averaging 5.6 minutes across five appearances.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Sent to G League
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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
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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: Out with shin injury
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Buzelis won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against Minnesota due to a shin contusion, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Buzelis won't suit up Wednesday, joining Ayo Dosunmu (rest/shoulder), Julian Phillips (ribs) and Dalen Terry (knee soreness) in street clothes. Buzleis dropped 15 points and six rebounds in Chicago's most recent preseason tilt. His next chance to play will come Friday against Cleveland.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Goes for 15 points Monday
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Buzelis finished with 15 points (5-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes off the bench in Monday's 111-107 preseason loss to the Bucks.
Buzelis struggled a bit with his shot, but the rookie has been finding ways to produce when given the opportunity. He's slated to open the season on a bench role, but if things go south for the Bulls as the campaign progresses, don't rule out the possibility of Buzelis seeing an increased role in the final months.
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
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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.
