Chicago’s preseason plans hit a pause Friday when forward Matas Buzelis left the Bulls’ game against Memphis with a right ankle injury. The 21-year-old initially returned after going to the locker room earlier in the first quarter, but exited again in the second and was ruled out for the rest of the night.
Buzelis had six points and one block in 12 minutes as Chicago lost 104-101. He appeared to hurt the ankle while making a play on defense, then came back before leaving for good with 4:38 remaining in the second quarter. The Bulls have not publicly shared a diagnosis beyond the right ankle injury or announced a recovery timetable.
That uncertainty is the main concern for now—not a reason to assume the worst. Buzelis is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and the Bulls are counting on his continued growth. But Friday’s game was an exhibition, and there is not yet enough information to say whether this will affect his regular-season availability.
Chicago is scheduled to play Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11. As of Saturday, Oct. 10, Buzelis’ status for that game had not been announced. For the player and team, the immediate priority is getting a clearer assessment; the next update should provide a better sense of whether this is a short interruption to his preseason or something that requires more patience.