Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Big double-double against Pels
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Vucevic accumulated 21 points (8-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 123-111 loss to the Pelicans.
The 34-year-old center got his 14th NBA campaign off to a strong start, taking advantage of the absence of Zion Williamson (illness) from the New Orleans lineup. Vucevic could be the next veteran out the door for the Bulls after DeMar DeRozan was sent to the Kings in the offseason to kick-start a rebuild. But as long as he remains in Chicago, Vucevic should anchor the team's frontcourt and provide his usual plus production on the glass. He's recorded more than 40 double-doubles in six straight seasons.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Double-doubles Friday
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Vucevic finished with 18 points (8-16 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block across 27 minutes in Friday's 139-137 preseason win over the Cavaliers.
Vucevic seems ready for the regular-season opener against the Pelicans on Wednesday. The big man figures to play a prominent role on offense for the Bulls and should be the team's second-best option on offense behind Zach LaVine.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Will play Wednesday
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Vucevic (rest) is active and starting Wednesday's preseason game versus Minnesota, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Vucevic returns to action after resting for Monday's preseason game versus the Bucks. Chicago enters Wednesday's contest with a fully healthy frontcourt excluding Julian Phillips (ribs).
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Gets day off Monday
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Coach Billy Donovan said Vucevic (rest) will not play in Monday's preseason game versus the Bucks, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Vucevic won't suit up Monday, though it is expected to be a scheduled day off for the veteran. The 33-year-old's next opportunity to feature during the preseason will come Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Double-double to begin preseason
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Vucevic posted 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 116-112 preseason win over the Cavaliers.
The 33-year-old center has seen trade rumors swirl around him in training camp, but for now, Vucevic remains the veteran anchor of the Bulls' frontcourt. He's averaged a double-double in six straight seasons and 10 of the last 12 dating back to his Orlando days, but his 29.4 percent shooting from three-point range last season was his worst mark since 2015-16, giving him something to work on in camp.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Leads team with 14 boards
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Vucevic notched 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 14 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game loss to the Heat.
Vucevic turned in a valiant effort in Friday's elimination game, but the Heat cruised to a big victory with the help of Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez. Vucevic was held in check offensively along with the rest of the Chicago squad, as the Bulls were held to 91 points on 38.0 percent shooting from the field. The 33-year-old closed the season with four consecutive double-doubles.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Records double-double in win
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Vucevic notched 24 points (11-21 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes during Wednesday's 131-116 Play-In Game victory over the Hawks.
Although Coby White's heroics headlined the game, the most interesting positional battle occurred inside, where Vucevic and Clint Capela went toe-to-toe. Although Capela out-rebounded Vucevic, the Chicago big man displayed his ability to stretch the floor, forcing Capela to play further out. The result was a vulnerable interior defense for the Hawks, and the rest of the team took advantage with productive slashes to the basket. Things won't get any easier for Vucevic in the next game, as he'll face Bam Adebayo in a battle for the eighth seed.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Records double-double Sunday
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Vucevic closed with 29 points (12-19 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds and three assists over 42 minutes during Sunday's 120-119 overtime loss to the Knicks.
The Bulls were already locked into a Play-In matchup against the Hawks, but that didn't seem to matter, and their starters handled a regular workload, though that translated to them putting up solid numbers across the board. Vucevic was not the exception, as he recorded a double-double for the third time over his last five appearances, meaning he will enter the Play-In matchup against the Hawks on a good run of form and ready for a battle against Clint Capela. Vucevic recorded 44 double-doubles during the regular season.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Set to play against Knicks
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Vucevic (rest) isn't on the injury report for Sunday's game versus the Knicks.
Vucevic will return to action Sunday after missing Chicago's previous contest for rest purposes. The star big man is averaging 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32.4 minutes across his last 10 appearances.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Officially ruled out
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Vucevic has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Wizards.
As expected, Vucevic has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will join most of Chicago's usual veterans on the sidelines. Two-way players Adama Sanogo and Henri Drell are candidates for increased roles in Chicago's frontcourt, along with Torrey Craig, Javonte Green and Dalen Terry.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Unlikely to play against Washington
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Vucevic (rest) has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's game against the Wizards.
The Bulls have already locked in their seed for the Play-In Tournament and are playing in the second half of a back-to-back set Friday, so it isn't very surprising to see the team downgrade Vucevic from questionable to doubtful. Andre Drummond (ankle) has also been ruled out, so Adama Sanogo, Torrey Craig, Javonte Green and Dalen Terry are candidates to see increased run if Vucevic is officially sidelined.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Iffy for Friday
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Vucevic is questionable for Friday's game against Washington due to rest purposes.
Vucevic posted a double-double in 37 minutes of playing time during Thursday's comfortable win over the Pistons, but he could rest in the second half of the back-to-back set. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Bulls exercise caution with Vucevic since the team has already locked in its playoff seed.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Records double-double vs. Detroit
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Vucevic supplied 27 points (12-21 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Thursday's 127-105 win over the Pistons.
With his double-double Thursday, Vucevic is now up to 44 on the season, which is tied with Jalen Duren for seventh in the NBA. Vucevic entered Thursday's contest shooting 48.0 percent from the field -- four percentage points lower than the 2022-23 season -- and 29.0 percent from three, which is his lowest mark since 2015-16 with the Magic. He has been more efficient as of late, and since March 1, Vucevic is averaging 17.9 points on 50.2 percent shooting (including 34.6 percent from three), 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 33.3 minutes per game.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Drops 26 points in loss
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Vucevic supplied 26 points (12-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one block over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 128-117 loss to the Knicks.
Vucevic scored at least 20 points for the first time in almost two weeks, playing an expanded role following the early departure of Andre Drummond due to an ankle injury. It was a welcome sight for managers after a rough few games. He remains a must-roster player, and should Drummond be forced to miss more time, Vucevic could see a few extra minutes down the stretch.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Leads team in rebounding
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Vucevic had 22 points (9-20 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds and two assists over 29 minutes during Wednesday's 125-99 victory over the Pacers.
Vucevic's team-high 12 rebounds helped him post his 41st double-double of 2023-24 during Wednesday's blowout win. Despite shooting 28.1 percent from three on the season, Vucevic has seen a slight uptick in his efficiency recently, converting 32.1 percent of his 3.8 three-point attempts across his 14 appearances in March.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Big night on glass
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Vucevic amassed nine points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 30 minutes during Monday's 107-105 loss to Washington.
The 16 boards were his highest total since he pulled down 17 against the Magic on Feb. 10. Vucevic saw his streak of games with double-digit points end at 16 though, as Monday was the first time since the All-Star break he'd failed to put up at least 10 points. Since the ASB, the veteran center has averaged 19.5 points, 10.8 boards, 3.1 assists and 1.2 threes while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Records another double-double
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Vucevic accumulated 16 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and one block across 39 minutes during Thursday's 127-117 loss to the Rockets.
Vucevic has been on an absolute tear during the current month, as he's enjoying a more prominent role on offense, and his numbers have backed that up. Aside from averaging 19.6 points per game in 11 March outings, he's also recorded seven double-doubles in that span while shooting 50.3 percent from the field. Vucevic should be considered Chicago's second-best option on offense behind DeMar DeRozan during the final weeks of the regular season.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Drops 22 on Blazers
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Vucevic notched 22 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Monday's 110-107 win over the Trail Blazers.
The veteran center just missed recording his 40th double-double of the season, which would have marked his third straight campaign reaching that plateau, and the seventh time in his career. Vucevic has been a force in the Chicago frontcourt since the All-Star break, averaging 20.9 points, 10.9 boards, 2.7 assists and 1.4 threes over the last 14 games while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Carves up Washington
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Vucevic racked up 29 points (11-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Saturday's 127-98 win over the Wizards.
Vucevic capitalized on an idyllic fantasy matchup against a Washington frontcourt consisting of Richaun Holmes, Eugene Omoruyi and Patrick Baldwin. Vucevic's three-point shooting continues to be massively underwhelming, and it's tough to count on him booming consistently without a better stroke from deep, but Saturday's production proves he can still crush mismatches.
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Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Records double-double Saturday
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Vucevic finished Saturday's 112-102 loss to the Clippers with 22 points (9-22 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists across 35 minutes.
Vucevic has registered a double-double in each of his last four games and is up to 37 on the year. The big man has now tallied at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in three straight games. Vucevic is averaging 21.0 points on 48.9 percent shooting (including 42.9 percent from three), 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 33.5 minute per game in March.
