Mar 14, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) passes the ball against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

'I Haven’t Shown Any Signs of Slowing Down' – Chicago Bulls Center Sends Stern Warning After 28-Point Performance Vs. Detroit Pistons

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 7:47 AM ET

The Chicago Bulls opened their 2025-26 NBA campaign with a 115-111 win against the Detroit Pistons, as Nikola Vucevic led all scorers with 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the field. The 35-year-old center also had 14 rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

“I don’t understand why guys keep asking me these questions. I haven’t shown any signs of slowing down,” Vucevic said via CHGO Bulls. “I take a lot of pride in the work I put in and to be out there and play the best I can.”

“It’s pretty impressive at his age for him to play the minutes he played tonight, and play them effectively and productively. It’s great because he’s so good at moving the ball. He’s one of those guys that can score on three different levels,” Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said about Vucevic. “I personally think with the conditioning, he can play for a long time.”

Mar 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) defends Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls, who were without the injured Coby White, also received meaningful contributions from Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey , Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones.

Chicago Bulls News: Nikola Vucevic raves about Matas Buzelis’ poster dunk over Isaiah Stewart

Matas Buzelis stole the show for the Chicago Bulls with his facial dunk over Isaiah Stewart midway through the final period. According to teammate Nikola Vucevic, that counts as the first official poster of Buzelis’ NBA career.

Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

“I’m very proud of Matas. He became a man tonight. He got his first legit poster,” Vucevic said about Buzelis’ big dunk via Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score. “He tried to claim he dunked on D’Angelo Russell or something last year, but I’m like, ‘Matas, you’re like two feet bigger than him.'”

Buzelis was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Vucevic. The high-flying swingman contrbuted 21 points, six rebounds, and three blocks on 7-for-12 shooting from the field in 34 minutes of action.