CHICAGO — So few around the city of Chicago watched what transpired at the United Center on Saturday. Even those who lingered an hour or so after the Bulls’ 125-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks howled for the other game. The one their pride was tethered to.
They posted near TVs, either by a fireplace or inside a local bar, their spirits at Soldier Field, invested in the Bears’ NFC wild-card comeback against the Green Bay Packers. Mavericks executive Michael Finley, a Maywood, Ill., native, nervously hovered over a plate of food, his blood pressure seemingly spiking more from incompletions than the mild sauce.
Chicago savored playoff football on Saturday. The Bulls hosting the Mavericks in January felt destined to be a distant second.
For those who didn’t watch the NBA game, promise grew. Matas Buzelis added a worthwhile page to a turbulent sophomore season. He finished with 15 points and six rebounds and outplayed rookie sensation Cooper Flagg (11 points, one rebound) and continued an encouraging two-week stretch. Even with the striking contrast of their runways within their respective teams, Buzelis passed this litmus test.
The Bulls trounced the injury-laden Mavericks. Two-way rookies Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse started for Dallas. Referee Scott Foster ejected coach Jason Kidd in the first quarter for his apparent potty mouth. And Anthony Davis fended off pointed comments about his fit, clad in Packers gear like a Champs mannequin.
Chicago wiped the floor with what remained of the Mavs (No. 1 in the NBA in pace), scoring 38 fast-break points to Dallas’ eight, the essence of this Bulls squad if it were more consistent. Seven Bulls scored in double figures.
There’s a predictable checklist of the things that need to happen for the Bulls to stand a chance in games when they inch closer to full strength. Whether that style holds depends on the whims of the season: who’s in and out of the lineup, whether this big or that wing is playing. It’s a revolving door of injuries, inconsistency and irrationally important role players that make these Bulls perpetually difficult to evaluate in totality.
Buzelis’ ambitious shot volume, though, sticks out. It’s a recent upward trend that feels real. Between Josh Giddey’s hamstring strain from Chicago’s loss to Minnesota on Dec. 29 and Coby White’s minute restriction since his return from a nagging calf issue, Buzelis walked into more usage.
A heavier, critical dosage of being the man. The look suits him.
Through his first 32 games this season, he averaged 10.4 attempts. With the Bulls’ recent injuries, Buzelis is averaging 15 attempts over his last six games. He’s shooting 47.8 percent from the field in that span. He finished Saturday a plus-19.
He’s handling downhill and driving with palpable comfortability. Forcing the issue in transition. Flushing lobs. Posterizing dudes. True career highlight-reel SLAM magazine posters.
MATAS. BUZELIS. 🤯
What a HUGE one-handed throwdown!
ORL/CHI is tied at 59 at the break… tap to watch the 2H: https://t.co/KJXQbFKdBI pic.twitter.com/kfcEPtxTk0
— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2026
Buzelis said he wants to be aggressive. He’s “letting the game come to him” and “trying not to force anything.” But whether Buzelis is playing with ease or instead hanging onto blemishes previously dwelled in the back of his mind, coach Billy Donovan doesn’t let mistakes fester.
For Buzelis’ shortcomings, Donovan demonstrates a short leash. Especially earlier this season, when Buzelis’ quick or late substitutions felt like an extension of his rookie season.
“I would sit here and say that letting a guy play through every single mistake is not the best way that’s gonna lead to his development, in my opinion,” Donovan said in late December. “It’s a lot more that goes into it than just throwing a guy out there for playing time.
“Matas is a perfect example of that. He had a hard time last year getting on the floor, and he got better at the things that I thought would impact winning. He’s made some significant strides, but he made significant strides by going through a lot of difficulty early of not playing a whole lot. Earning the right to go out there and play and then having a better understanding of what goes into winning instead of just saying, ‘Matas, here you go, here’s 35 minutes; just play!’ Sometimes, these guys need direction.”
Buzelis’ mind could very well drift to that fine line between his blossoming and his benching. He looks across at a 19-year-old Flagg, understandably handed the keys by the Mavericks on Day 1. Dallas asked him to play point guard early. Months into his career, Flagg is shouldering offense, pinning shots and closing games.
Both are in fetal stages of their respective development, but they’re hardly mirror images as players — and certainly not in opportunity.
Flagg owns a neon green light to continue to fail.
“Oh, he’s gotta fail to be successful,” Kidd said pregame. “To be a great, you have to fail. We’ll live with him failing or making a mistake, because he’s one that will understand that he can’t do that again.”
Buzelis’ mistakes risk ejection. A beckoning to the bench, even if he’s one of Chicago’s few prized assets.
Of course, Buzelis remains an imperfect defender. Youthful in his tendencies, explosive in his flashes. Saturday’s game was 19 seconds old when Buzelis thumped Naji Marshall’s flimsy transition layup attempt. Later on, he foolishly soared past a 3-point shooter while closing out on a pump fake.
So much of what’s binding him is who he can defend. He’s not quick enough to chase the Tyrese Maxeys, not burly enough to consistently bang with the Evan Mobleys. Midway through Saturday’s second quarter, Flagg threw his shoulder into Buzelis for an and-1 in the post. Buzelis, however, is bouncy enough to fling shots near the rim as a lingering secondary rim protector. Chicago’s defensive personnel certainly hasn’t aided Buzelis’ defensive identity.
The tantalizing possibilities grow with each game. He’s undecided positionally. His recent play suggests he could be closer to small forward, even if this roster won’t always allow that. Buzelis, a 21-year-old bundle of length and ambition, is commanding more usage. Give me more, his recent on-ball possessions scream.
He refuses to let “slump” live on as the descriptor for his sophomore NBA season. He’s captivated Bulls fans these past couple of weeks with his drives and finishes. With his seizing of this moment, and with this sudden workload.
“I’m just going out there and hooping,” Buzelis said. “I’m trying to get my mind off things, play free, be present. It’s been good recently. I’m not really thinking of anything.”
There’s a blank canvas there. One worth watching him try to paint.
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