Drummond’s Dominance in Vucevic’s Absence
The Chicago Bulls’ starting center, Nikola Vucevic, was sidelined due to injury, allowing four-time rebounding champion Andre Drummond to step into the starting lineup. Drummond delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 25 rebounds, achieving a rare “double-double” after a 1060-day hiatus. This contribution played a crucial role in the Bulls’ 118-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Close Contest and DeRozan’s Clutch Plays
Throughout the first three quarters, the Bulls trailed the Hawks by only two points. In the final quarter, the game remained tightly contested, and DeMar DeRozan’s pivotal 8-point contribution helped secure the narrow victory. DeRozan finished the game with the highest point total, scoring 25 points. In a post-game interview, he expressed his enjoyment of the crowd’s energy and the honor of being trusted in critical moments.
Drummond Shines as a Starter
Drummond, filling in for Vucevic, last started on April 11th of the previous year. His impressive performance made him the first Bulls player this season to achieve a 25-rebound game and the first since Ben Wallace in 2006 to record 24 points, 25 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks with an 80% shooting rate since Charles Barkley in 1986.
Career Milestones for Drummond
This game marked Drummond’s 45th career double-double, making him the active player with the most such performances, surpassing Kevin Love of the Miami Heat, who has 16. Drummond’s last 20-point, 20-rebound game was on February 1, 2021, against the Timberwolves, where he scored 25 points and grabbed 22 rebounds.
In his interview, Drummond stated, “I still believe I’m a starting player in this league, but I will accept the role I’m in now and give my best.”
Bulls’ Challenges and Drummond’s Rise
The Bulls faced challenges this season with injuries to key players Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, the absence of these stars provided opportunities for reserve center Andre Drummond to showcase his skills. In the past three games, Drummond accumulated a total of 64 rebounds, following in the footsteps of Bulls legend Dennis Rodman, achieving a feat not seen since 1998.
Vucevic’s absence, due to a left groin strain, led to Drummond’s increased playing time, and he seized the opportunity with impressive performances, including 24 points, 25 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in one game, 7 points, 16 rebounds, and 1 steal in another, and 15 points, 23 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in the third. Drummond’s per-game averages in these three games were 15.3 points, 21.3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.7 blocks in less than 30 minutes on the court.
According to reports from Bulls beat reporters at LVBET, Drummond, a four-time rebounding champion, matched Rodman’s historic record of 64 rebounds in three consecutive games. The Bulls, propelled by Drummond’s stellar performances, achieved a 2-1 record in these games.
Drummond’s Journey and Contract with the Bulls
Drummond, initially traded to the Cavaliers in February 2020 and subsequently bought out in March 2021, embarked on a journey as a “minimum-salary wanderer,” playing for the Lakers, 76ers, Nets, and now the Bulls. He signed a two-year, $6.56 million contract with the Bulls in the summer of 2023, with a player option for the second year. Drummond has played in all 34 games this season, averaging 14.9 minutes per game and contributing 7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.