Bulls Snap Skid Behind Collins and Smith, While Vucevic Sits Out the Finish
The Chicago Bulls may have stumbled into a turning point - not just in their season, but in how they approach the center position moving forward.
In a much-needed win over the Charlotte Hornets, head coach Billy Donovan made a bold call: he benched veteran center Nikola Vucevic in favor of Zach Collins and Jalen Smith. And for the first time in weeks, the Bulls looked like a team ready to fight back.
Let’s be clear - this wasn’t about Vucevic having a bad shooting night. He was efficient early, hitting 3-of-4 from the field and scoring seven points in the first half.
But the game’s rhythm shifted, and Vucevic couldn’t keep up. He was held scoreless in the second quarter, during which Charlotte outscored Chicago by 10 and took a 61-55 lead into halftime.
The third quarter didn’t start any better for the veteran big man. After logging a -7 in just seven minutes to open the half, Donovan made the call: Vucevic was done for the night. From that point on, it was Collins and Smith anchoring the frontcourt - and they delivered.
Collins Steps Up in Limited Minutes
Zach Collins, playing just his third game of the season after recovering from wrist surgery, looked like a player trying to make up for lost time. He poured in 16 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the second half, including two clutch three-pointers. His energy was contagious, and his presence helped stabilize a Bulls team that had lost seven straight.
Even more impressive? Collins gave Chicago five second-chance points in just 11 second-half minutes - nearly matching the Hornets’ total of six over the entire second half. That’s the kind of hustle that doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it changes games.
Smith Brings the Muscle on the Glass
Jalen Smith brought his usual motor and athleticism to the floor, especially on the boards. Of Chicago’s 11 offensive rebounds, nine came in the second half - Smith grabbed four of them, while Collins added two more. Those extra possessions were critical in a game that was ultimately decided by just three points.
Smith may be undersized for a traditional center, but he’s one of the Bulls’ best athletes and their most aggressive offensive rebounder. That grit mattered - especially in a game where every possession counted.
The Numbers Tell the Story
By the final buzzer, the contrast was stark. Vucevic finished the game as a -15.
Collins? +11.
Smith? +15.
That’s not just a coincidence - that’s impact.
And it wasn’t just about the bigs. Coby White continued his strong play with 20 points.
Josh Giddey nearly notched another triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Tre Jones returned from injury and gave the Bulls a steady hand, chipping in six points, five rebounds, and just one turnover.
As a team, the Bulls shot 55.3% from the field and made 15 free throws, while Charlotte only attempted eight from the line.
But the real shift came with the energy and versatility Collins and Smith brought to the floor - something the Bulls have been missing with Vucevic in the middle.
What This Means for Vucevic - and the Bulls
There’s no denying what Nikola Vucevic has meant to this team. Even in his 15th NBA season, he’s been steady - averaging 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists with efficient shooting splits (49/38/77). He’s started 23 of 24 games this season and has been a reliable presence on the court.
But the game is changing around him, and the Bulls are trying to change with it. With players like Giddey, White, and Matas Buzelis pushing the tempo, the Bulls are leaning into a faster, more athletic identity.
And right now, Vucevic just can’t match that pace. He’s not a rim protector.
He struggles in transition. And he can’t defend on the perimeter the way today’s game often demands.
Zach Collins isn’t a superstar, and he’s not going to anchor a defense the way elite centers do. But he’s more mobile.
He’s hungry. And he played with a level of urgency against Charlotte that Vucevic simply hasn’t shown lately.
Smith, meanwhile, continues to carve out a role as a high-energy, athletic big who makes the most of his minutes.
Billy Donovan has long been loyal to Vucevic - and that loyalty has been earned. But at some point, production has to outweigh pedigree.
Against the Hornets, the Bulls found a formula that worked. It may have taken a seven-game losing streak to get there, but if this rotation shift sticks, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Chicago’s season.
Vucevic still has a role to play - but if the Bulls want to keep pushing the pace and claw their way back into the playoff picture, it might be time to lean into the future.