"I try to always impact the game, because you never know who’s watching," Durant said Saturday night in Chicago.

Like against the New York Knicks on Thursday, the Chicago Bulls played close against a talented Phoenix Suns, but they could not pull out a win in a 121-117 finish in front of 21,116 fans at the United Center on Saturday.

With the 11th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls took a flyer on Matas Buzelis out of G League Ignite. The 6-foot-10 forward has a deep skillset but has not gotten the expected opportunity in his rookie season.

Another Bulls player who had a productive night was Matas Buzelis. He started against the Suns and had 15 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in 24 minutes of action while shooting 5-10 from the field and 3-7 from three-point range.

Kevin Durant is off the injury report and is expected to play against the Chicago Bulls on Friday at the United Center.

“I like Matas,” Kevin Durant said, according to a post from K.C. Johnson. “I liked him when he was with G League Ignite. He's long, athletic, can shoot it. He's definitely going to have some bumps and bruises as he gets through his first few years in the league trying to figure things out.”

Both the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns are on steep downward trajectories heading into their game. The Bulls have lost five on the trot and do not seem to be particularly focused on winning, having traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. On the other hand, the Suns are on a four-game losing streak.

Matas Buzelis attacked Saturday’s matchup against Kevin Durant with his signature intensity — and earned praise from the NBA superstar as a result.

The Chicago Bulls are having a not-so-great 2024-25 ... Buzelis' performance caught the attention of Suns superstar Kevin Durant. Durant, who had a firsthand look at Buzelis during the game ...

Matas Buzelis has impressed many people throughout his rookie campaign with the Chicago Bulls, and the 11th pick in the NBA draft gained another fan in Kevin Durant. Durant and the Phoenix Suns ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30), left, guards Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half ...

Following the game, Suns superstar Kevin Durant gave his props to the ... no doubt that he will be a major part of Chicago's future plans. While the Bulls are just 22-35 on the season after ...