Zach LaVine Receives Warm Welcome in First Game Back at United Center
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CHICAGO — Zach LaVine called his return to the United Center “felt like I came home” after scoring 30 points in the Sacramento Kings’ 126-113 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, his first appearance in the building since last season’s trade.
The Bulls paused play in the first quarter to show a tribute video covering LaVine’s eight Chicago seasons. Fans responded with a standing ovation that drew the 29-year-old guard off the bench to acknowledge the crowd.
“I love Chicago,” LaVine said postgame. “Through ups and downs. I’ve grown my family here. I became a man here.”
Long Chicago tenure ends with mixed results
LaVine twice made the All-Star team while climbing into the franchise’s top 10 in points, three-pointers and field goals. The Bulls, however, went 174-242 during his tenure, reaching the playoffs only once and exiting in the first round.
“I know I did a lot of good in Chicago,” he added. “I just wish I could have won more here.”
Postgame reunions
After the final buzzer, LaVine and Kings forward DeMar DeRozan—who spent the 2021-24 seasons with Chicago—shared hugs and laughs with former teammates, head coach Billy Donovan and rookie forward Matas Buzelis.
Buzelis finished with 27 points and five rebounds, helping Chicago improve to 4-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season, the last time the Bulls made the postseason. “He’s an amazing guy and a great leader,” Buzelis said of LaVine. “That’s my guy.”
Looking back, looking forward
LaVine reflected on the Bulls’ brief 2021-22 surge—fueled by DeRozan, LaVine and Lonzo Ball before Ball’s knee injury—as evidence of what might have been. Three straight play-in losses followed, prompting Chicago to pivot toward a younger core and ship LaVine to Sacramento in a three-team deal.
“It takes a winning mindset from top to bottom, and we just didn’t get it done,” LaVine said. “When it doesn’t happen, you restart, you rebuild, you go younger—and that’s what they did. I respect their decision and I’m glad to see how good they’re doing right now.”
The Bulls will try to extend their unbeaten start Friday, while LaVine and the Kings continue a three-game road trip in Milwaukee.
Source: ESPN
