Matas Buzelis Struggles in Worst Game of the Season as Chicago Bulls Fall to 76ers
Bulls Forward Matas Buzelis Struggles Early in Third NBA Season
- Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has opened his third NBA season with a decline in scoring and shooting efficiency across his first seven games, averaging 13 points compared to 16.3 points last year, according to 15min.lt reporting.
- Buzelis recorded his worst performance of the season in a 126-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on November 3, 2026, committing five turnovers while scoring only four points in 23 minutes of play, as reported by Delfi.lt and BasketNews.lt.
- Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter publicly criticized Buzelis for playing “in a crowd,” while the 22-year-old player acknowledged a difficult start but promised to resolve his on-court struggles, per BasketNews.lt and LRT.lt.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is facing heightened scrutiny after a sluggish start to the 2026–27 NBA season, logging a series of statistically declining performances that have raised questions about his offensive progression. Entering his third year in the league, the 22-year-old Chicago native has seen his averages drop to 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game through his first seven appearances, down from 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks last season, 15min.lt reported.
Philadelphia Defeat Highlights Ongoing Offensive Hurdles
The downward trend crystallized during a 126-107 road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on November 3, 2026, where Buzelis registered his lowest statistical output of the young season, according to Delfi.lt. Starting alongside his teammates, Buzelis logged 23 minutes on the floor, converting two of four two-point attempts and missing his sole three-point try to finish with four points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block, as detailed by Lrytas.lt. Compounding his difficulties, Buzelis committed five turnovers and four personal fouls, leading to an efficiency rating of four index points, per BasketNews.lt.
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”
The defeat dropped the Bulls to a 1-6 record, positioning them among the lowest-performing teams in the Eastern Conference and across the NBA, according to BasketNews.lt and 15min.lt. Philadelphia capitalized on Chicago’s mistakes, securing the victory behind 26 points and 11 assists from Tyrese Maxey and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Jaylenas Brown, as reported by Delfi.lt.
Coaching Critique and Analyst Assessment of Buzelis’s Development
Following the loss in Philadelphia, Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter addressed the media regarding Buzelis’s performance issues, stating that the forward must stop trying to “play in a crowd,” as noted by Delfi.lt and BasketNews.lt. Splitter’s willingness to adjust playing time—cutting Buzelis’s average minutes from 29.2 down to 25 per game—reflects a tactical response to the team’s broader offensive struggles, according to 15min.lt reporting from SB Nation journalist Ricky O’Donnell.
O’Donnell noted in an interview that Buzelis has not demonstrated the anticipated developmental leap. “He simply isn’t playing very well, and Splitter, seeing that another player can give them more, doesn’t hesitate to sit him on the bench,” O’Donnell told 15min.lt. O’Donnell added that Buzelis’s lack of progress, combined with high turnover numbers—which have risen from 2.1 to 3 per game—make him look uncomfortable on the floor.
Buzelis Responds to Early-Season Pressure
Addressing reporters in the locker room after the matchup against the 76ers, Buzelis remained calm regarding his statistics and the team’s single victory in seven games, drawing comparisons to his previous years in the league, according to BasketNews.lt and LRT.lt.
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 in… this year, it’s even harder. As I keep saying, it’s a process. I promise you I’ll figure it out. — Matas Buzelis
Buzelis’s shooting percentages have dipped across the board, with two-point accuracy falling from 58,3% to 50% and three-point accuracy dropping from 34,9% to 29%, according to 15min.lt statistics.
As the Bulls prepare for their upcoming schedule, the focus turns to whether adjustments in offensive schemes can help players like Buzelis and rookie teammate Calebas Wilson—who led Chicago with 24 points against Philadelphia, per LRT.lt—find rhythm during a challenging conference slate.
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