Bulls ousted from playoff chase, Matas Buzelis stands by coach Billy Donovan
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The Chicago Bulls were knocked out of postseason contention after Friday’s defeat, leaving the franchise to confront a pivotal offseason that includes uncertainty surrounding head coach Billy Donovan’s future.
Chicago’s 29-44 record guarantees the team cannot reach even the NBA’s play-in tournament, with nine games still on the schedule. Donovan said earlier in the week that he expects to sit down with ownership and the front office once the season ends to discuss the organization’s direction.
Second-year forward Matas Buzelis voiced strong support for the coach despite the disappointing year. “He’s been everything—a role model, someone I look up to,” Buzelis told reporters, crediting Donovan for demanding accountability and guiding his development through limited minutes and quick substitutions when necessary.
The Bulls showed resilience in Friday’s loss before fading late, a pattern that has dogged the club throughout a season that never gained momentum. Even so, Buzelis insisted the final stretch will be used productively. “We’re not just going to mess around these next few games,” he said. “We’re going to try to learn.”
While Chicago plays out the remaining schedule, Donovan’s supporters inside the locker room remain vocal, underscoring the complex decisions that await management once the regular season concludes.
Source: Hoops Wire
