Frustrated Matas Buzelis Takes Blame for Bulls' 'Unacceptable' Loss

The Chicago Bulls disaster start continued on Wednesday night as they dropped their eighth straight game in dramatic fashion, blowing a 22-point lead to fall to Victor Wembanyama (32 points) and the San Antonio Spurs 124-119.

After the game, third-year forward Matas Buzelis spoke candidly about his part in the collapse, explaining that the "unacceptable" loss falls "mainly on him."

"Weak with the ball," Buzelis said. "Mainly me. That's unacceptable, man. That was our game to win. I feel like I lost that game for us."

Buzelis led the Bulls (1-9) in minutes played (31) and recorded 13 points, but his six turnovers proved costly as the Spurs (10-2) stormed back into the game. Four of these six giveaways came in the third quarter when San Antonio outscored Chicago 34 to 19.

The Bulls jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first quarter which they extended to 14 points by halftime. They were led by big men Jalen Smith (23 points, four rebounds and three assists) and Nic Claxton (17 points and six rebounds) in scoring. Smith played 30 minutes while Claxton played just 16 as they try to manage his long-term health in just his second game back from a hamstring injury.

Rookie Caleb Wilson had 15 points before exiting with a right-hand injury. Head coach Tiago Splitter had no update on his status postgame, but his departure was a big part of Chicago's carelessness with the basketball that Buzelis blames for the loss.

It's not the first time that the 22-year-old Buzelis has voiced his frustration this season. Following a poor performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 2nd where he had five turnovers to just four points, the young player caught heat from coach Splitter who wanted him to "stop playing in a crowd."

Buzelis shared the sentiment, but urged fans to exercise patience with his game, insisting that he put in enough work for the results to start showing up.

“If you guys can recall, every one of my beginning of my seasons were tough," Buzelis said. "New guys coming in, this year it’s even harder. There are challenges all the time. But I can achieve anything I want. I worked extremely hard this summer. I promise you I’ll figure it out.”

Clearly there is more work to be done for Buzelis and the Bulls, but his confidence and accountability are positive signs that growth will come. But with the large hole that Chicago has already dug for itself, these changes will have to come sooner rather than later.