Billy Donovan downplays Nikola Vucevic’s late benching after Bulls snap skid

Nikola Vucevic watched the final 19 minutes from the bench as the Bulls pulled out a 129-126 win over Charlotte on Friday, a result that snapped Chicago’s seven-game losing streak and raised a few eyebrows in the process.

Coach Billy Donovan downplayed any larger meaning behind the decision, saying that the late-game rotation should not be viewed as a referendum on Vucevic or a glimpse into long-term plans at center, per The Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe.

Instead, the Bulls leaned into flexibility. Zach Collins logged 20 minutes off the bench and delivered a strong night with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Jalen Smith followed with 17 minutes of his own, hauling in 10 rebounds and providing energy inside as Chicago closed things out.

“Whatever the case may be — maybe next game it’s not my night,” Collins said. “Maybe it’s Stix’s (Smith’s) night closing the game, maybe it’s Vooch’s night. We’ve got really good bigs that can finish games.”

That depth, Collins added, gives the Bulls options. Chicago can toggle between different looks at the four and five, depending on matchups and flow, rather than locking into a rigid late-game formula.

The Bulls were also managing minutes elsewhere. Smith, along with Isaac Okoro and Tre Jones, played under restrictions after recently returning from injuries, according to Poe.

Okoro still made an impact, scoring 15 points in 26 minutes, while Jones chipped in six points and five assists in 25.