By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Scoring 39 points, Nikola Vucevic shaped a new personal best in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, leading the Chicago Bulls to a win, 139-124, versus the San Antonio Spurs in Frost Bank Center on Thursday evening.
With the hosts sidelining French star Victor Wembanyama due to low back soreness, the experienced Montenegrin center dominated making 15 shots in the paint en route to 16/22 from the field, including 2/6 three-pointers. Lasting nearly 35 minutes, he threw in eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
In his first career triple-double, Ayo Dosunmu added 27 points, 11 assists, and ten rebounds.
Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Matas Buzelis chipped in 11 points with 4/7 field goals, seven rebounds, and one assist in 18 minutes, helping the Bulls move up to 10-13 in the Regular Season.
Replacing Wemby as the starting center for the team coached by Mitch Johnson, Polish Jeremy Sochan posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside two assists and one steal. “It’s unfortunate not having a big guy there, but I’m going to be ready for anything. Control what I can control,” he reacted to his first start at the five position.
Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili logged four points in six minutes and French Sidy Cissoko missed one shot in two minutes.
After starting a three-game homestand by falling to 11-11 in the Regular Season, the Spurs welcome the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans in San Antonio on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Wembanyama is considered day-to-day.