Chicago Bulls Open 2025/26 Season with Win Over Detroit Pistons
The Chicago Bulls kicked off their 2025/26 season with an exciting victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at the United Center. Despite holding a 15-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Bulls allowed Detroit to tie the game momentarily. In the end, Chicago secured a hard-fought four-point win.
There were plenty of notable performances throughout the game. Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Giddey notched his first double-double of the year with 19 points and 11 assists. However, it was the Bulls’ 2024 first-round pick who truly stole the show.
Matas Buzelis Shines Bright
Matas Buzelis impressed fans and teammates alike with 21 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. The defining moment came in the fourth quarter when Buzelis met Isaiah Stewart at the rim and slammed down a monstrous dunk over the Pistons’ big man. That highlight-reel dunk earned high praise from Bulls veteran Nikola Vucevic.
“I’m very proud of Matas. He became a man tonight. He got his first legit poster,” Vucevic said, according to Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score.
At just 21 years old, Buzelis is as athletic as they come. While he has thrown down impressive dunks before, this was the first time he truly posterized an opponent, making the feat all the more impressive given Stewart’s 6-foot-8 stature.
But Buzelis’s impact went beyond the highlight dunk; he played a complete game. His 21 points marked the third-highest scoring output of his young career, and his three blocks also ranked as a career-best effort. From Summer League to opening night, it appears Buzelis has taken a significant step forward in his development.
As a Chicago native, Buzelis is expected to start all season. While he will need to prove his consistency over the long haul, his performance on opening night surely has both coaches and fans excited about his future.
Impact of Coby White’s Absence
The Bulls were without guard Coby White for this game due to a calf injury that will sideline him for at least two more weeks, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN. White is one of Chicago’s key playmakers and capable of dropping 20+ points on any given night.
With White out, someone had to step up—and Buzelis rose to the occasion. Once White returns, it will be intriguing to see how the Bulls’ offensive dynamics evolve. White’s presence is likely to reduce Buzelis’s scoring load as White will take more shots.
Additionally, questions remain about the team’s starting rotation. Will head coach Billy Donovan keep Isaac Okoro in the starting five, or continue with Buzelis as a starter? Donovan might lean toward keeping Buzelis in the lineup given his defensive capabilities and offensive productivity.
Although a starting five featuring Jones, White, Giddey, Buzelis, and Vucevic could leave the Bulls somewhat vulnerable in the paint, it might offer the best chance for success this season.
Looking Ahead
No matter how the rotation settles, the Bulls opened their season on a high note. If Matas Buzelis continues to play at the level he demonstrated Wednesday night, Chicago fans have plenty to be optimistic about for the 2025/26 campaign.
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