Luka Doncic Erupts for 51 Points After Trash Talk with Bulls' Matas Buzelis

Buzelis says he 'doesn't back down from anybody' but learned a hard lesson about poking the NBA's most competitive stars.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:04pm

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In a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, second-year Bulls forward Matas Buzelis briefly exchanged words with Lakers superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic then proceeded to explode for 51 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, delivering a dominant performance that left Buzelis admitting he "probably shouldn't have talked to him."

Why it matters

The incident highlights Doncic's fierce competitiveness and ability to channel trash talk into elite on-court production. It also serves as a cautionary tale for young players about the dangers of poking the NBA's most dominant scorers. The exchange added another chapter to the Bulls' difficult season, while the Lakers continue to surge up the Western Conference standings behind Doncic's heroics.

The details

The exchange between Buzelis and Doncic occurred during the second quarter, with the exact words remaining unknown. However, Doncic admitted the comments "woke him up" and "flipped a switch" in his competitive mindset. After scoring 12 points in the first quarter, Doncic erupted for 12 in the second, 17 in the third and 10 in the fourth to finish with 51 points on 17-of-31 shooting, including 9-of-14 from three-point range.

  • The exchange between Buzelis and Doncic took place during the second quarter of the March 13, 2026 game.
  • Doncic scored 12 points in the first quarter before his performance escalated after the verbal exchange.

The players

Luka Doncic

A superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who delivered a dominant 51-point, 10-rebound, 9-assist performance after being provoked by trash talk from the Bulls' Matas Buzelis.

Matas Buzelis

A second-year forward for the Chicago Bulls who briefly exchanged words with Doncic, only to watch the Lakers star erupt for one of the most dominant individual performances of the season.

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What they’re saying

“I don't even know what to say, honestly. He started killing obviously when I started talking to him.”

— Matas Buzelis, Bulls forward

“Probably not to talk to him.”

— Matas Buzelis, Bulls forward

“Somebody started talking to me so that woke me up. Matas Buzelis. I was surprised. I was shocked. I'm not gonna say what he said. If I would say that, I would definitely get a tech.”

— Luka Doncic, Lakers guard

What’s next

The Lakers will look to continue their surge up the Western Conference standings, while the Bulls will aim to bounce back from a difficult stretch that has seen them lose 17 of their last 21 games.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a powerful reminder that even the most promising young players should be wary of provoking the NBA's elite scorers, as Luka Doncic demonstrated an ability to channel trash talk into a dominant, career-defining performance.