Bulls Forward Matas Buzelis Struggles in Loss to Philadelphia 76ers
Matas Buzelis committed five turnovers and scored just four points as the Chicago Bulls fell 126-107 to the Philadelphia 76ers on a Tuesday night in late 2026, marking a difficult offensive outing for the 22-year-old forward. 15min.lt reported that the Chicago-born player entered his second professional campaign following a strong rookie season where he averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Unlike his first year, when his scoring average jumped by 7.7 points, Buzelis has experienced a slower start to the current campaign amid roster shifts.
The visiting Bulls dropped to a 1-6 record, landing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia capitalized on a decisive third-quarter run, stretching a narrow five-point advantage into a double-digit lead at 85-69. Tyrese Maxey led the victors with 26 points and 11 assists, while Jaylen Brown contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds, according to Delfi. Calebas Wilson paced the Chicago offense with 24 points and seven rebounds.
Shooting and Turnover Metrics Contrast with Rookie Campaign
Through the opening weeks of the season, Buzelis’s statistical production has dipped across multiple categories compared to his rookie output. According to 15min.lt, his playing time decreased from 29.2 to 25 minutes per game, while his scoring average dropped to 13 points and later settled near 14.5 points following the Philadelphia matchup, as noted by Delfi. Efficiency metrics also declined: his two-point shooting fell from 58,3% iki 50 proc., three-point accuracy dropped from 34,9% iki 29 proc., and turnovers rose from 2.1 to 3 per contest.
Matas Buzelis said postgame that he just “didn’t bring it” tonight and needs to get into a flow. Asked him what he’s done before to get it back “If you guys can recall, every one of my beginning of my seasons, first and second, they were tough. It was difficult. New guys coming… pic.twitter.com/rkdU5Luose”
In the 19-point defeat to Philadelphia, Buzelis played 23 minutes, shooting 2-for-4 on two-pointers and missing his lone three-point attempt. His five turnovers outpaced his scoring total of four points, accompanied by three rebounds, two assists, and one block. LRT noted that the forward also committed four personal fouls during the contest.
Tiago Splitter Criticizes Forward for Forcing Plays
Chicago head coach Tiago Splitter addressed the team’s offensive approach following the loss, stating that Buzelis must stop forcing plays into congested areas of the defense. Ricky O’Donnell told 15min.lt that the forward’s current on-court impact has raised concerns regarding his development since the offseason.
I didn’t see any progress from him,
O’Donnell said in the 15min.lt report, adding that he named the main aspects in which the forward currently fares worst.
Buzelis Addresses Slower Start and Promises Rebound
Speaking to reporters in the locker room after the game, Buzelis acknowledged the challenging start to the season and pointed to roster integration as a factor for the team’s struggles. LRT and Delfi both captured his postgame remarks addressing the slow opening to his second year.
If you guys can recall, every one of my beginning of my seasons, first and second, they were tough,
Buzelis said, according to LRT. It was difficult. New guys coming in… this year, it’s even harder. As I keep saying, it’s a process. I promise you I’ll figure it out.
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