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This is a procedural move as the 2024 first-rounder rides out his rookie contract. Expectations are high for Buzelis as he enters his third NBA season, and the forward is primed for a key role with the rebuilding Bulls this year.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Scores 14 points in preseason finale
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Buzelis ended with 14 points (5-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes in Friday's 133-116 preseason win over Minnesota.
Buzelis tied Jordan Hawkins to finish second on the team in points behind Caleb Wilson, who had 16. The 22-year-old finished the preseason by averaging 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. However, he logged just 20.8 minutes per contest, so his contributions during the preseason shouldn't reflect what he is expected to do throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Paces Chicago in preseason win
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Buzelis totaled 19 points (6-9 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block across 24 minutes in Wednesday's 125-104 preseason win over Milwaukee.
Buzelis was on fire from beyond the arc, knocking down a game-high five three-pointers en route to a team-high 19 points in a winning effort. The young forward has also made his presence felt defensively, recording at least one block in all four preseason appearances. Buzelis averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks across 77 regular-season contests last season and will look to take another leap in his third NBA campaign.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Available, starting Sunday
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Buzelis (ankle) will start Sunday's preseason game against the Nuggets.
Buzelis left Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies early due to a right ankle injury, but he will return to the lineup Sunday. Buzelis recorded six points and a block in 12 minutes before exiting Friday's game.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Exits Friday's game early
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Buzelis exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies and will not return due to a right ankle injury, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. He'll finish with six points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one block in 12 minutes.
Buzelis appeared to twist his ankle earlier in the game but initially played through the injury. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's exhibition against Denver. With the 2024 first-rounder out for the remainder of the game, Dailyn Swain and Leonard Miller could see increased playing time.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Busy on defense in Wednesday's win
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Buzelis produced 14 points (6-15 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) while adding three rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist over 26 minutes during Wednesday's preseason win over the Suns.
The third-year forward couldn't find his shot from beyond the arc, but Buzelis made up for it with a strong defensive effort. Buzelis took a big step forward in his second NBA campaign, nearly doubling his scoring average to 16.3 points and delivering 5.8 boards, 2.2 threes, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.7 steals over 77 regular-season contests, and further improvement seems likely for the 21-year-old as the Chicago roster gets better around him.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: To have more freedom offensively
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Buzelis expects to have more offensive freedom this season and said he focused on becoming more physical and attacking the rim during the offseason, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.
The 21-year-old felt he attempted too many three-pointers last season, when 51.4 percent of his field-goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and he wants to incorporate more mid-range opportunities into his game. Buzelis also prioritized adding weight and strength, which could help him play through contact as he looks to build upon his 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game from the 2025-26 regular season.
Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Scores 12 points for Lithuania
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Buzelis (ankle) notched 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt), two assists, two rebounds and two blocks for Lithuania in Friday's 105-85 win over Great Britain in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Buzelis missed Chicago's regular-season finale with an ankle issue, but he's since fully recovered. He will have more competition for usage in the frontcourt following the selections of Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain as well as Chicago's acquisition of Nic Claxton (finger) ahead of the 2026-27 season, but Buzelis will likely maintain a sizable role for the Bulls.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: More competition incoming
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Buzelis (ankle) will have more competition for usage in the frontcourt following the selections of Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain as well as Chicago's acquisition of Nic Claxton (finger).
After trading away Nikola Vucevic at the deadline last year, the Bulls addressed a thin center position by acquiring Claxton ahead of Tuesday's draft. Wilson and Swain, however, pose even more significant threats to Buzelis' role at the forward spots. Buzelis could see less action as a small-ball center in 2026-27, but he certainly appears to be locked into a starting role to open the new year.
With the Bulls playing for Ping Pong balls, Buzelis will hit the sidelines for their regular-season finale. His absence should open up minutes for Patrick Williams and Leonard Miller.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Exits early Friday
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Buzelis won't return to Friday's game against the Magic due to a sprained right ankle. He'll finish with 14 points (6-17 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 27 minutes.
Buzelis was cleared to return from a three-game absence due to an illness but picked up an ankle injury and exited to the locker room with 10:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The second-year forward should be considered questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale in Dallas until the Bulls offer an update on his status.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Will play Friday
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Buzelis (illness) said he will play in Friday's game against the Magic, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Buzelis is set to shed his questionable tag and return from a three-game absence. The second-year forward has averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks across 30.6 minutes per contest over his last five appearances.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Chance to play Friday
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Buzelis (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Magic.
Buzelis has a chance to snap a three-game absence due to an illness, but given the Bulls aren't competing for a playoff spot, it's unlikely he sees a major role even if cleared to suit up. Leonard Miller has taken advantage of increased playing time in Buzelis' absence, and that should continue Friday if the latter remains in street clothes.
