The 2025 NBA All-Star weekend showcased some of the highest flyers and lethal three-point shooters tonight during the AT&T Dunk Contest and the Starry 3-Point Contest. The Bulls were represented for the second time this weekend by rookie forward Matas Buzelis, one of four participants vying for the 2025 NBA AT&T Dunk Contest champion title. He came in tonight hoping to join Michael Jordan as the only two players to win this award in franchise history. Bulls fans grew excited in the last few weeks because Buzelis mentioned that he sought the advice of two-time dunk contest winner and former teammate Zach LaVine. LaVine has one of the most impressive resumes and assortment of dunks in the contest's history, paired with Buzelis's elite athleticism. How did Buzelis's night finish, and could he shock the entire Association with his performance?
Turning Heads With His Dunk Package
While the current state of the All-Star weekend disappoints many, the dunk contest typically contends for the most highly anticipated and enjoyed event. Even though the league's best players and biggest icons don't consistently participate, there are always a few surprises in the mundane bunch representing the field. One of this year's was Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis. Chicago fans aren't stunned by the showing. Having seen the 20-year-old throw ferocious in-game dunks throughout his first campaign, videos of his warm-up attempts before the contest, and gaining the counsel of LaVine, they knew the kid could fly.
Buzelis goes REVERSE off the side of the backboard. 💥#ATTSlamDunk on TNT pic.twitter.com/bOLXElxMRw
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
Creativity Was There
Unfortunately, Buzelis only completed a successful dunk on one of his first-round slams. The first of his two, an attempt that started behind the backboard and finished with a between-the-legs windmill off the bounce failed to register a made dunk attempt. His default score was 40.0 out of a possible 50.0, which no other dunker did throughout the competition. Barring a perfect score on his second dunk, which didn't come to fruition, he had already eliminated himself from contention. He'd take home fourth place, below each of the other three competitors.
Credit to Buzelis for something pretty unique pic.twitter.com/zsNbJEIJQ3
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) February 16, 2025
In another disastrous season to be a Chicago Bulls fan and the sixth losing one in the last seven, Buzelis's previous two weeks have shown tremendous growth and improvement. For the rest of the year, look for him to separate himself as the organization's next cornerstone asset, soon to be paired with a top-ten draft pick this summer.
