Chicago Bulls’ Matas Buzelis puts NBA on notice after win over Pistons

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 11:22 AM ET

The Chicago Bulls had a 20-point lead in the third quarter, but a furious run by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter saw three total ties in the game’s final three minutes. The hosting Bulls persevered to pull off a 115-111 win in front of 21,381 fans at the United Center on Wednesday night.

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Chicago was led by an impressive performance by Nikola Vucevic. The 34-year-old big man recorded 28 points, 14 rebounds and two assists.

Forward Matas Buzelis could be scary in his second year in the association. He scored 21 points and added six rebounds and an assist in 34 minutes as a starter on Wednesday night.

Matas Buzelis made the play of the night

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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Buzelis made the play of the night when he dunked on Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart with 9:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Year 2 Matas pic.twitter.com/QwhpbnvwFT

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 23, 2025

Following the win, Buzelis gave a warning to the rest of the NBA that the physical way they played against the Pistons is going to be how they play the rest of the season.

“It’s extremely important because this is going to build the foundation of how we’re going to play the rest of the season,” Buzelis said, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Chicago Bulls are putting the NBA on notice

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls Feb 11, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Buzelis believes he can be a go-to-guy for the Bulls this season.

“I think I can be a go-to guy, but it comes down to whatever the team needs me to do to win games,” he said. “The NBA now is positionless, so whoever has a heater, whoever has it going, that’s who we’re going to go to. If it’s my night, it’s my night.

“If it’s not, I’m going to have to do the dirty work, defend as hard as possible, do the little things to impact the game.”

Chicago looked resilient and impressive on Wednesday night, playing without point guard Coby White, who will miss at least the first six games with a calf issue.

The Bulls will next travel to play the 1-0 Orlando Magic on Saturday.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles LakersMar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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