The Chicago Bulls improved to 4-0 with a resounding 126–113 win over the Sacramento Kings. Chicago’s trademark balance was on display once again, as nine Bulls scored at least nine points. Rookie Matas Buzelis stole the show this time, leading the charge in the team’s most convincing performance yet.
Buzelis came out firing, scoring eight points in the first three and a half minutes. The sophomore closed the opening quarter with 11 points and three rebounds, going a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Sacramento had no answer for the 6-foot-10 forward, whose length and confidence set the tone early.
The second quarter brought more of the same. In a span of seven minutes, Buzelis added six points, converting all three of his field goal attempts. He stayed hot in the third, drilling another pair of triples on his way to eight points in the period. Buzelis capped the night with two more points in the final frame, finishing with a team-high 27 points. The 21-year-old shot 11-of-18 from the field, 4-of-6 from three, and posted a plus-18 in the win.
Matas Buzelis' touches must continue to be prioritized
Chicago is now 7-1 in games where Buzelis has reached the 20-point threshold, with the only loss coming by one point to the Dallas Mavericks a season ago.
Buzelis is an ascending talent—and unlike many players from the Bulls’ past, he’s no empty-calorie scorer. When Buzelis plays well, Chicago wins. For that reason, Billy Donovan must continue to feature him prominently, even once a certain someone returns to the lineup.
There’s an argument to be made that someone had to step up in Coby White’s absence. The 25-year-old guard led the Bulls in scoring last season, averaging 20.4 points per game, a number boosted by his 24.5 points per game after the All-Star break. Beyond his scoring, White averaged 16.8 field-goal attempts, 7.3 three-point attempts, and 5.7 free-throw attempts per game, serving as Chicago’s primary shot-maker and shot-taker.
Through Chicago’s 4–0 start, no player is averaging more than 20 points, 15 field-goal attempts, or 7.0 three-point attempts per game. Only Josh Giddey is getting to the line more than five times per contest. It’s been a balanced, team-oriented approach so far.
Still, Buzelis ranks among the team’s top three in all four of the aforementioned categories. An increase in usage would be a worthwhile step forward for Chicago’s prized prospect—not only for his development, but for the Bulls’ success as well.
Buzelis is a crucial piece in what Billy Donovan wants to build. He’s arguably the Bulls’ only true modern forward: a 6-foot-10 playmaker with the size, skill, and defensive versatility teams covet. Chicago needs Buzelis both now and for the future. His touches should never waver, whether when White returns or even if the Bulls were to trade for a perennial All-Star. The Bulls must stay the course.