On a night when the Chicago Bulls honored one of their all-time greats by retiring Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey, it felt only right that the next generation stepped into the spotlight. Enter Matas Buzelis - the 2024 lottery pick and Chicago native - who delivered a moment that echoed with promise and power.
Late in the game against the Boston Celtics, Buzelis put together a highlight that had the United Center buzzing. After taking Payton Pritchard off the dribble with a slick behind-the-back move, he powered through a crowd of defenders and threw down a vicious dunk right over Derrick White.
It wasn’t just a flashy play - it was a statement. A reminder that the Bulls may have something special brewing in their young forward.
Buzelis has been turning heads all season with his rare blend of size, athleticism, and offensive creativity. He’s still a work in progress - head coach Billy Donovan has made that clear - but the flashes are real, and they’re coming more frequently.
What makes him so intriguing is how he combines raw physical tools with a growing feel for the game. When he attacks downhill with purpose, the defense has to make tough choices.
And when he finishes plays like he did against Boston, it’s hard not to imagine what his ceiling could be.
MATAS BUZELIS THROWS IT DOWN OVER DERRICK WHITE 🤯pic.twitter.com/TYyXktfpU5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 25, 2026
Chicago’s front office is clearly invested in his development, and for good reason. If Buzelis can continue to harness his physical gifts and sharpen the finer points of his game - decision-making, off-ball movement, defensive rotations - he could be a cornerstone for a franchise that’s been searching for a new identity since the post-Rose era.
The Bulls came into the matchup against the Celtics riding a three-game win streak and holding a 22-22 record - good enough to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. They’re just two games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for the sixth seed, and while the East is wide open this year, Chicago’s path to relevance hinges on the growth of its young core.
And make no mistake: Buzelis is front and center in that conversation.
He’s averaging 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting a solid 47.8% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Those numbers are impressive for any rookie, but especially for a 21-year-old still adjusting to the NBA’s pace and physicality. He’s shown he can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and create his own shot - all while playing with the kind of edge that Chicago fans love.
With Josh Giddey recently returning from a hamstring injury and Buzelis continuing his strong January, there’s a sense that this team might be turning a corner. The Bulls have lived in NBA Play-In limbo for the past few seasons, but there’s a different energy around this group. It’s not just about scraping into the postseason anymore - it’s about building something sustainable.
Buzelis, the hometown kid, is giving Bulls fans reason to believe. And on a night that belonged to Derrick Rose, it was fitting that another No. 1 pick - this one from the Windy City - gave the crowd a glimpse of what the future might hold.