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Matas Buzelis Injures Ankle as Bulls Lose to Grizzlies in Preseason
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- Matas Buzelis Injures Ankle as Bulls Lose to Grizzlies in Preseason
Chicago Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter speaks to the media following his team's 104-100 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Gavin Dorsey/Roundtable Sports)
The Chicago Bulls fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in their second preseason game on Friday night, 104-101. But the score wasn't Chicago's biggest loss.
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Midway through the opening quarter, third-year forward Matas Buzelis blocked a shot by Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells and was slow to get up. He went to the locker room after walking gingerly on his right leg, but returned soon after.
However, Buzelis didn't remain in the game much longer. With 4:38 remaining in the second period, Buzelis headed back through the Bulls' tunnel. He was later ruled out with a right ankle injury.
Buzelis missed two nonconsecutive games last season with a right ankle sprain. He finished Friday's game against the Grizzlies with six points on 3-of-6 shooting and three personal fouls, missing both of his three-point attempts.
No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson led the Bulls with 21 points, most of which came in the second half. He shot 7-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-11 from deep, and grabbed four rebounds.
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Norman Powell scored 17 points, while Josh Giddey (13 points) and Leonard Miller (12 points and 11 rebounds) chipped in as well.
Grizzlies starters Ty Jerome, Zach Edey and Cameron Boozer combined for 36 points in limited minutes. Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, totaled 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Oct 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer (27) dunks the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Grizzlies jumped out to an early lead because of their physicality. Edey used his size to make his presence felt on both ends, not allowing the Bulls to get anything easy in the paint. A block from the 7-foot-3 big man on Tobe Awaka forced Tiago Splitter to call a timeout with his team trailing 10-2.
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Jerome knocked down a three-pointer to give Memphis a 15-6 lead, but the Bulls battled back to tie the game in the opening period. The Grizzlies led after one, 30-27, as Splitter used 10 different players.
Memphis used a 9-0 run to pull ahead by double digits, led by Jerome and Boozer. The Grizzlies had a 60-50 advantage going into the half.
Wilson finally managed to find his shooting stroke in the third quarter. The No. 4 overall pick made three consecutive baskets — including a pair of triples — to help the Bulls come back and tie the game at 67 apiece.
Wilson splashed his third three-pointer of the half to give the Bulls a 73-67 lead and force Memphis into calling a timeout. After scoring just one point in the first half, Wilson had 12 on 3-of-6 shooting from deep in the third quarter alone.
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Once again, Splitter turned to Exhibit-10 players in the fourth quarter as he tested the Bulls' depth. Wilson returned to the game in the final minutes, missing two free throws but also connecting on his fifth three-pointer of the night.
The Bulls will head to Denver on Sunday for their first road preseason game. Chicago's tip-off against the Nuggets is set for 8:00 p.m. CT.
