Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Caps off solid rookie campaign
Rotowire
Buzelis chipped in nine points (4-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 109-90 Play-In Game loss to the Heat.
Buzelis started off the 2024-25 season fighting for consistent playing time, but ended his rookie campaign as one of Chicago's key starters. Across Buzelis' 31 regular-season starts, he averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26.8 minutes. The rookie forward also displayed solid efficiency over that span, posting 47.3/34.9/80.6 shooting splits.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Efficient in victory
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Buzelis ended Friday's 119-89 win over Washington with 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists and three blocks across 32 minutes.
Buzelis' efficient shooting helped him record double-digit points for his fifth straight outing. Since being inserted into the starting lineup Feb. 5, the rookie forward is averaging 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.2 minutes across 30 appearances.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Muted performance in win
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Buzelis finished with 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block over 24 minutes during Sunday's 131-117 win over the Hornets.
This was a quiet game by Buzelis' recent standards. With the Bulls giving the rookie more responsibility, he's been able to take advantage. Over his last seven games, he's been a sixth-round value in nine-category formats with 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Active at both ends Monday
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Buzelis had 14 points (5-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal in 31 minutes during Monday's 145-117 loss to the Thunder.
Buzelis has adjusted well to life as a starter in the NBA, and he's been playing exceptionally well in recent weeks. He's been putting up solid numbers on offense and has scored in double digits in each of his last five outings, a stretch in which he's averaging 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest. The four blocks were also a season-high mark for the rookie, who seems to be getting more comfortable on the defensive side of the ball, too.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Explodes for 28 points in loss
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Buzelis supplied 28 points (10-17 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one block in 38 minutes during Saturday's 120-119 loss to the Mavericks.
Buzelis continues to find his footing, especially on the offensive end, scoring at least 28 points for the second time in the past four games. The 38 minutes marked a career high and is a good sign that the coaching staff is growing in confidence in him. Across seven games over the past two weeks, he has averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Modest effort in victory
Rotowire
Buzelis ended Thursday's 119-117 win over the Lakers with 12 points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes.
The rookie first-rounder's playing time has fluctuated, especially now with Patrick Williams back in the mix, but Buzelis has maintained a steady role as a starter following the Zach LaVine trade. Over 13 contests in March, Buzelis has averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 blocks and 1.6 three-pointers in 25.3 minutes. The 20-year-old remains a work in progress offensively, but he's flashed as a rim protector and figures to continue to start for the Bulls.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Career-high 31 points in victory
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Buzelis produced 31 points (12-18 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 30 minutes during Saturday's 146-115 win over the Lakers.
The rookie returned to the starting five due to Tre Jones (foot) being sidelined, finishing as the club's second-leading scorer behind Coby White (36 points). Buzelis also sank a career-high five three-pointers en route to a career-high mark in points. The 20-year-old will likely continue to receive an increased role while Jones and Lonzo Ball (wrist) are sidelined.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Productive night in win
Rotowire
Buzelis closed with 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and one block across 30 minutes during Monday's 111-97 victory over Utah.
Buzelis finished with the club's third-highest mark in points Monday and recorded at least 15 points for the eighth time over 66 regular-season appearances. Additionally, the rookie forward tied his season high in rebounds. Buzelis has been a mainstay in the starting five of late and scored double-digit points in seven of his last 10 outings.
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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.
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.
Buzelis notched 17 points (6-17 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one block in 36 minutes during Monday's 142-110 victory over the 76ers.
Buzelis did not have an efficient night by any means, but his fantasy managers will be encouraged by the bump in usage -- Nikola Vucevic (calf) sat this game out and is likely day-to-day. With Patrick Williams (knee) going to miss more time, Buzelis is going to have plenty of opportunity to put up fantasy numbers. Through nine February outings, Buzelis is averaging 14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers.
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