The Chicago Bulls have been revitalized by the emergence of second-year forward Matas Buzelis, who is making waves in the league following the trade of Zach LaVine last season. Standing at 6-foot-9, Buzelis has helped propel the Bulls to a remarkable 4-0 start for the first time since the 2021-22 season. They are gearing up to face the New York Knicks on Friday in the NBA Cup opener, which could further solidify their position as one of the league’s unbeaten teams.
While the Bulls have shown strong performances, the Knicks have faced a setback after starting the season with two wins. New York recently suffered two consecutive losses, including a 121-111 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks, where they led by 12 points at halftime but ultimately fell short.
In contrast, the Bulls showcased their resilience in a recent game against the Sacramento Kings, coming from behind to secure a 126-113 victory. Buzelis played a pivotal role in this match, scoring 27 points and contributing significantly alongside teammates Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic, who both recorded double-doubles. Chicago shot an impressive 53.8% from the field, with Buzelis reaching a personal best of 17 points in the first half and finishing the game 11 of 18 overall and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.
“I know what I’m capable of, so when I have the ball in my hand, I’m confident,” Buzelis said following the game. His coach, Billy Donovan, echoed this sentiment, praising Buzelis’ versatility and eagerness to improve. “He’s so long he can get to the rim where he doesn’t look like he can get there,” said Donovan, highlighting Buzelis’ agility and skills under pressure.
As the Bulls prepare to face the Knicks, Buzelis will likely create a challenging matchup for New York’s center, Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has struggled recently, posting a disappointing score of eight points on just 2-of-12 shooting against Milwaukee and being outperformed by Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who scored 36 points against Milwaukee and is averaging an impressive 31.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, acknowledged the growing pains the team is experiencing with their new system under head coach Mike Brown. He emphasized the importance of supporting one another as they navigate this learning curve.
The Knicks are also dealing with injury uncertainties, monitoring the status of three players: guard Miles McBride, forward Guerschon Yabusele, and center Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to appear this season due to an ankle injury.
As both teams strive for greatness this season, the upcoming game promises to be an exciting showdown, showcasing rising talent against a team looking to regain its footing.