Bulls rookie makes history with perfect shooting performance

Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis delivered a breakout performance on Tuesday night, scoring a career-high 24 points in a 133-124 win over the Miami Heat. His shooting was nothing short of remarkable,  as he finished a flawless 10-of-10, including four three-pointers. 

This perfect night from the field not only marked a career-best for Buzelis but also etched his name into NBA history as the youngest rookie ever to shoot 100 percent from the field in a game, according to the NBA.

The 20-year-old Chicago native’s standout performance signals a significant turnaround in what has been a challenging first season in the NBA. 

Buzelis, who struggled for minutes early in the campaign, even spent time in the G League for further development. Despite those setbacks, he has shown flashes of promise, notably scoring 20 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 2. Tuesday’s game, however, indicated further growth, as it was his fourth consecutive game scoring in double digits. 

This marks a promising shift in both Buzelis’ development and the Bulls’ fortunes, as they sit at the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with a 22-29 record.

In his rookie season, the 6-foot-10 forward has averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. While his offensive production is still a work in progress, his impressive 37.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc has provided a glimpse of what he could contribute in the future.

Additionally, his 41 blocks lead the team and rank fifth among rookies, underlining his strong defensive abilities that have long been considered a key aspect of his potential. As his offensive game continues to develop, the Bulls will be eager to see how his well-rounded skill set can evolve into a game-changing force.

After his historic performance, Buzelis remained grounded, reflecting on his success with a level-headed approach. 

“My confidence right now is high, but you’ve got to stay humble,” he said, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “My dad always tells me the sun comes up tomorrow, so you’ve got to go back to work. You guys can call it [a breakout game], it doesn’t matter to me. Breakout or not, I’m going to play the same way every night.”

In addition to his on-court achievements, Buzelis’ profile is continuing to rise. He has been announced as a participant in the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in San Francisco on Feb. 15. He becomes just the fifth player in Bulls history to participate in the event, joining Orlando Woolridge, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Tyrus Thomas. With his entry into the contest, Buzelis becomes only the third rookie in Bulls history to participate, following in Jordan and Thomas’s footsteps. 

The rising star’s continued success on and off the court promises even more exciting moments to come for both him and the Chicago Bulls.