Matas Buzelis has the tools to be a star, but his body is sending mixed signals. He looked dangerous in the paint against the Phoenix Suns, scoring 12 points there while attacking the rim with real force. Then came a scary moment against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday when he landed awkwardly after a block and tweaked his right ankle.
The third-year forward is trying to balance aggression with caution. He told reporters that his early exit was “just being smart” rather than a sign of a major issue. That is the right call. Last season, he played in 77 games but still dealt with minor ankle issues against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic.
Physical Play Comes With A Price
Buzelis is trying to bulk up to handle the physical load. He said the main goal was gaining strength and sharpening all of his tools during the offseason. The results showed up quickly. He moved toward the rim with greater finality and used off-ball cuts to beat the high-pressing Suns defense.
But that same physicality led to the injury. He blocked a shot by Jaylen Wells with eight minutes left in the first quarter, then walked gingerly to the locker room. Coach Tiago Splitter only knew he was “sore” after the game ended. The team confirmed he was out for the rest of the night via social media.
Buzelis finished with six points on 3-for-6 shooting in just 12 minutes. He missed both of his three-point attempts and added three personal fouls. It is a small sample size, but the trend is clear. He wants to play hard, but the schedule does not allow for many mistakes.
Patience Is The Only Path Forward
The Bulls have a tight road ahead. They will travel to face the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Buzelis said he hates missing games and thinks he will be ready for Sunday. That confidence is good, but the team needs to be careful.
According to BasketNews.com, he noted the previous year proved difficult while affirming this squad possesses significant potential. He also noted that it is a process and everyone is working hard to achieve their goals. The stats show he averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season. Yahoo Sports reports his shooting averages were 46.3% from the field and 34.9% from deep.
Patience is not easy for a young player who wants to prove himself. Buzelis said he can do a lot on the floor and is playing more physical. The Bulls need him to stay healthy more than they need him to force a win. The preseason is just a little sore, nothing crazy, according to the player.
