The Chicago Bulls opened their 2025/26 season with a win over the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night at the United Center. After being up by 15 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Bulls allowed Detroit to tie the game at one point. In the end, Chicago won by four points.
There were plenty of good performances to go around. Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Josh Giddey earned his first double-double of the year with 19 points and 11 assists. However, it was the Bulls’ 2024 first-round pick that stole the show.
Matas Buzelis scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked three shots. In the fourth quarter, Buzelis met Isaiah Stewart at the rim and threw down a monstrous dunk over him.
That dunk earned the second-year pro high praise from the team’s big man.
“I’m very proud of Matas. He became a man tonight. He got his first legit poster,” Vucevic said, per Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score.
Just the Beginning for Matas Buzelis
GettyMatas Buzelis had one of the best games of his career on opening night.
Buzelis is athletic as they come. The 21-year-old has thrown down some great dunks in his career, but this was the first time he truly dunked on someone. Stewart’s 6-foot-8 frame makes the dunk all the more impressive.
The dunk was fun to watch, but Buzelis played a complete game. His 21 points were the third-most in his young career. His three blocks were also the third-most in his career. From summer league to opening night, it seems as if Buzelis has taken that necessary jump forward.
The Chicago native is going to be a starter all year, so he will have to prove it over the course of a full season. But opening night should have the coaches and fans excited for his future.
Was Buzelis a Product of His Environment?
GettyMatas Buzelis scored 21 points against the Pistons on opening night.
The Bulls were without Coby White for this game. He is dealing with a calf injury that will hold him out for at least two more weeks, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN. White is one of the better playmakers on the team and someone who can drop 20+ points on any given night. With him out of the lineup, someone had to step up. Buzelis was that guy Wednesday night.
When White returns from his injury, it will be interesting to see how the offense changes. Buzelis will not have to score as many points as White is going to take more shots. Another thing to keep in mind is the starting rotation. Does Billy Donovan keep Isaac Okoro in the starting five? Or does he let Buzelis continue to start?
Coach Donovan might be better off keeping Buzelis in the starting lineup. He is a capable defender, and he can provide valuable productivity on offense. The Bulls having Jones, White, Giddy, Buzelis, and Vucevic as a starting five might leave them at a bit of a disadvantage in the paint. However, that lineup might give the Bulls the best chance to succeed this season.
No matter the case, the Bulls opened the year with a high note, and if Buzelis continues to play the way he did, Chicago is going to have a great season.
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