Bulls' Buzelis Suffers Ankle Injury in Loss to Magic

Young forward leaves game with right ankle sprain, status uncertain as season winds down.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the sudden impact of an injury.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the sudden injury to a rising young star, exposing the fragility of an NBA season.Chicago Today

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis suffered a right ankle sprain late in Friday night's game against the Orlando Magic, forcing him to leave the contest with assistance from the team's training staff. The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but any significant issue for the 23-year-old would be a major blow to the Bulls as they wrap up a disappointing season.

Why it matters

Buzelis is considered a key building block for the Bulls' future, so an injury this late in the season could impact his offseason recovery and preparation for next year. The team is already out of playoff contention, making the health of young players like Buzelis a top priority as they look to regroup in the offseason.

The details

Before exiting the game, Buzelis had posted a solid stat line of 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in 27 minutes of action. However, he was forced to leave the court with assistance from the training staff after suffering the right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Magic.

  • The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' game against the Magic on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Buzelis will not return to the game following the ankle injury.

The players

Matas Buzelis

A 23-year-old forward for the Chicago Bulls, considered a key part of the team's future plans.

Chicago Bulls

The NBA franchise based in Chicago, Illinois that Matas Buzelis plays for.

Orlando Magic

The NBA team that was playing against the Chicago Bulls when Matas Buzelis suffered his ankle injury.

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What they’re saying

“Anything major to a team building block in a meaningless game would be devastating for the Bulls and their fans.”

— Charlie Cummings, Reporter

What’s next

The Bulls will provide an update on the severity of Buzelis' ankle injury in the coming days. If it is serious, it could impact his offseason training and preparation for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The takeaway

This injury is a concerning development for the Bulls, who are hoping Buzelis can continue to develop into a core piece of their roster. The team will need to closely monitor his recovery and ensure he is fully healthy before the start of next season.