10-of-10 from the field. 4-of-4 from three-point range. 24 points on the night. Zach LaVine… Wait, he's no longer a Chicago Bulls. Nikola Vucevic… nope, the big man converted only 5-of-13 field goal attempts. Who else could've put up this absurd stat line? Look no other than 20-year-old rookie Matas Buzelis.
The 11th-overall selection in last June's draft had himself a historic night. Buzelis is the first rookie in Bulls' history to shoot 100 percent on at least 10 field goal attempts. Furthermore, he's only the sixth rookie in NBA history to accomplish that same feat. Perhaps most impressive, he's the only rookie to ever convert 10 field goals, including a three-pointer, on perfect efficiency.
Matas Buzelis had 24 PTS on 10-10 FG, 4-4 3FG in the Bulls' win tonight.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) February 5, 2025
He's the 6th rookie in NBA history to shoot 100% on 10+ attempts.
He's the 1st rookie in NBA history to do it with even a single 3-point attempt.
The rookie's performance was breathtaking. On a smaller scale, less historical scale, Buzelis' 24 points were a career-high. The 6-foot-10 forward had also never converted more than three triples in a game before Chicago's bout against the Miami Heat.
There's no reason Buzelis shouldn't be starting
After seeing a downtick in minutes to begin January, Buzelis has seen 20-plus minutes in five straight contests. The Chicago native has averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers per game over that same stretch. The return on investment is paying off. Buzelis is turning a corner.
As Buzelis starts to take his game to the next level, it's on Head Coach Billy Donovan to reward his strong play with a starting role. After jettisoning LaVine on February 2, the Bulls no longer possess an alpha-scorer. Vucevic and Coby White are the next closest things, but the former could also be on his way out in the coming days.
Addition by subtraction will work in Buzelis' favor. Moreover, the Bulls' lineup is in drastic need of a wing after shipping off LaVine and removing Patrick Williams from the starting lineup. Williams has performed extremely well off the bench, thus, transitioning him back into a starting role could potentially halt the progress he's made.
While Buzelis' recent play speaks for itself, the need for a two-way forward is so evident that it's preposterous as to why Donovan hasn't trotted out the 20-year-old alongside the Chicago starters. Sure, Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu are better players in the present, but Buzelis' potential is through the roof. He's already shown the flashes in limited action, yet even more playing time is warranted.
The rookie's playing time must surpass the 30-minute mark. He played 31 minutes (another career-high) against the Heat and should receive more action from now on. Playing alongside the starters against the opposing squad's best players will do the rookie wonders. Instead of Ball or Dosunmu, Buzelis should be given the starting nod. He's a picturesque fit at power forward and has displayed impressive catch-and-shoot shotmaking, further proving his seamless fit alongside Chicago's litany of superb passers.