In just his second NBA season, Matas Buzelis is showing flashes of the kind of electrifying talent that turns heads-and on Friday night against the Cavaliers, he gave fans another glimpse of what he’s capable of.
With just under seven minutes left in the first quarter and Cleveland holding a 13-11 lead, the Bulls pushed the pace. Kevin Huerter led the break and found Buzelis in stride.
What followed was a two-handed flush that was as smooth as it was powerful. It wasn’t just a dunk-it was a statement.
The kind of play that makes you sit up and say, “Okay, this kid’s got something.”
And that’s been the theme lately. Buzelis, who idolized Tracy McGrady growing up, is starting to carve out a lane of his own in Chicago.
Through the early part of the season, he’s averaging 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game-solid numbers for a young player still finding his rhythm in the league. More importantly, he’s doing it with a level of polish and poise that’s well beyond his years.
The Bulls, currently sitting at 11-15, are trying to build some momentum as the calendar year winds down. They came into Friday’s matchup fresh off a 127-111 win over the same Cavaliers team, snapping what had been a frustrating seven-game losing streak. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season so far-Chicago came out of the gates hot at 6-1, only to hit a rough patch that tested the team’s resolve.
Through it all, Buzelis has been a bright spot. After a rookie campaign that saw him play in 80 games and average 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, he’s taken a noticeable step forward.
Now entrenched in the starting lineup alongside Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic, Buzelis is proving he belongs. He’s not just filling a role-he’s impacting games on both ends of the floor.
What makes Buzelis particularly intriguing is his versatility. He’s got the size and length to defend multiple positions, and he’s shown flashes of playmaking that suggest there’s more to his offensive game than just scoring.
He’s still raw in some areas, but the foundation is there. He’s not just a project anymore-he’s a contributor.
That said, head coach Billy Donovan was clear from the jump: Buzelis “hasn’t arrived yet.” And that’s fair.
Matas Buzelis SLAMS IT DOWN 😤pic.twitter.com/gMROxf0TA7
— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) December 20, 2025
He’s still learning the nuances of the NBA game, still developing the consistency that separates good players from great ones. But what you love to see is the hunger.
Buzelis isn’t waiting around for his moment-he’s chasing it.
Back on Media Day in September, Buzelis laid out two goals for himself: win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and win a championship. Ambitious?
Absolutely. But it speaks to his mindset.
He’s not here to blend in-he’s here to make an impact.
And while the second goal might take some time (and a few more roster pieces), the first one? That’s not out of reach. If he keeps trending upward and continues to make plays like the one we saw Friday night, Buzelis could very well find himself in that conversation.
Right now, he’s giving Bulls fans something they haven’t had in a while: a young player with real upside, real confidence, and a real chance to grow into something special.