When Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis makes his debut Saturday in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend in San Francisco, the pressure will be a little different.

Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis was named as an injury replacement player in the Rising Stars Game on Friday at NBA All-Star Weekend.

Buzelis was selected as a replacement player for the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars competition that begins Friday. The Bulls rookie is already competing in the 2025 NBA Dunk Contest, where he'll look to unseat two-time champion Mac McClung.

Bulls rookie forward Matas Buzelis is replacing Pelicans rookie Yves Missi in Friday night's 2025 NBA Rising Stars at All-Star Weekend.

Matas Buzelis is developing nicely in his rookie year with the Chicago Bulls. Ben Pfeifer breaks down how he excels and where he can grow.

As the Bulls face an uphill battle with a rebuild, Buzelis provided a glimmer of hope at the United Center on Tuesday night.

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi has a hyperextended right knee and will be re-evaluated next week. The NBA Rising

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has his sights set high in the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, and the rookie will be looking to hoist the Dr. J Trophy on Saturday. Buzelis will be the fifth Bulls player to participate in the annual event and the first since Tyrus Thomas in 2007.

Buzelis has had some emphatic dunks this year, but Mac McClung will not be going down without a fight. He doesn't even play in the NBA, but his hops and his ability to dunk the basketball are unreal. If someone that isn't in the league gets invited and continues to win the contest, you know they are impressive.

All-Star Weekend is finally here, bringing a week of rest for all but one Chicago Bulls player: Matas Buzelis. Buzelis will compete in the dunk contest on Saturday and the Rising Stars event on Friday.