Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Scores 12 points for Lithuania
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Won't play Thursday
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Buzelis (illness) is out for Thursday's game against the Wizards.
Buzelis will be sidelined for a third straight contest as the franchise continues to err on the side of caution. Look for Leonard Miller to be heavily involved Thursday.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Out with illness
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Buzelis (illness) is out for Tuesday's game against the Wizards.
An illness is resulting in a second straight absence for Buzelis. Leonard Miller started at power forward in Sunday's loss to the Suns and should do so once again Tuesday in Buzelis' stead.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Ruled out for Sunday
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Buzelis (illness) won't play Sunday versus the Suns, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Buzelis is feeling under the weather and won't be able to give it a go Sunday, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Wizards. With Buzelis out, there will be more minutes available for Leonard Miller, Patrick Williams and Collin Sexton.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Buzelis (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
After not being listed on the Bulls' initial injury report, Buzelis has been downgraded to questionable after presumably waking up under the weather. If he's sidelined, Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams and Leonard Miller would all be candidates for increased roles.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Poor performance in loss
Rotowire
Buzelis closed Friday's 136-96 loss to the Knicks with 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT) and six rebounds across 23 minutes.
Buzelis is the future of the Bulls' franchise, but he didn't look the part in this 40-point loss to the Knicks. The young forward has taken a big leap in his game in his second season in The Association, so one bad game won't erase what he's done throughout the current campaign. The recent performances are a bit worrisome from a fantasy perspective, however, as Buzelis has failed to surpass the 15-point mark in three of his last five appearances despite maintaining his starting role.
Buzelis finished with 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal across 28 minutes during Monday's 129-114 loss to the Spurs.
Buzelis took a huge step back compared to his recent performances, and this was one of his worst three-point shooting performances since the All-Star break. Buzelis has been struggling with his outside shot of late and has gone 5-for-23 from deep in his last three outings. That said, even if he struggles from deep, Buzelis does enough in other categories, and usually scores at a strong pace, so fantasy managers can overlook those problems and continue to trust him in fantasy playoffs.
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Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Sniffs double-double
Rotowire
Buzelis ended Friday's 131-113 loss to the Thunder with 15 points (6-13 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 34 minutes.
Buzelis ended just one rebound shy of recording what would've been his second double-double of the month. Even though he struggled massively with his three-point shot, this was another solid outing from the young forward, who has embraced a bigger role on offense for the Bulls as the season has progressed. Buzelis has scored at least 15 points in all but two of his 12 appearances since the beginning of March and is averaging 19.7 points per game since the All-Star break.
Buzelis ended Monday's 132-124 victory over the Rockets with 23 points (8-16 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one assist over 35 minutes.
With Nikola Vucevic (finger) in Boston, Buzelis continues to handle a boost in usage and should continue to play a featured role going forward. Buzelis has averaged 23.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals over 34.5 minutes per tilt in his last eight games, scoring at least 18 points seven times during this stretch.
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