Yesterday, March 29, 2025, Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Dallas Mavericks in a thrilling NBA showdown at the United Center in Chicago.
Despite the Bulls falling just short with a final score of 120-119, Vucevic delivered a standout performance that etched his name further into the history books.In the game, Vucevic contributed 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, showcasing his all-around skill as the Bulls’ veteran center.
While the Bulls couldn’t secure their fifth straight win, Vucevic’s efforts were historic. His 9 rebounds pushed his career total past Johnny “Red” Kerr’s 10,092, moving him to No. 43 on the NBA’s all-time rebounding list. Among active players, he now trails only LeBron James, Andre Drummond, and DeAndre Jordan in this category.
This milestone highlights Vucevic’s consistency, as he maintains a career average of 10.5 rebounds per game across 965 games, with his peak at 12.0 rebounds per game during his first All-Star season in 2018-19.The game itself was a nail-biter.
Dallas led by 11 points late in the fourth quarter, but Chicago mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to 118-116 with 8.6 seconds remaining.
After Klay Thompson made two free throws for Dallas, Vucevic drained a 3-pointer with just 0.9 seconds left, bringing the score to 120-119. However, time ran out before the Bulls could attempt a miracle finish.
Alongside Vucevic, rookie Matas Buzelis shone with a career-high-tying 28 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-best 6 assists, while Coby White added 25 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
For Dallas, Thompson led with 20 points, and Spencer Dinwiddie notched a triple-double-esque 14 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Though the Bulls didn’t claim the victory, Vucevic’s performance was a testament to his enduring impact.
His climb up the rebounding ranks adds to his legacy with the Bulls, where he already ranks third in franchise history for double-doubles with 195, having surpassed Horace Grant earlier this month.
With stats like these, Vucevic continues to solidify his place among the NBA’s elite big men.
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