Billy Donovan Surprised By Nikola Vucevic’s Ejection: “I Don’t Know How They Can ‘T’ Him Up When He’s Talking Serbian”

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan wasn't happy about how Nikola Vucevic was ejected from their win over the Lakers.

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Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls played spoilsport for the Los Angeles Lakers, who saw LeBron James return to the court way ahead of schedule with a foot tendon injury.

The Bulls won emphatically on the night in LA but had to go through adversity. Starting center, Nikola Vucevic was ejected from the game after consecutive technicals after a call. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is still shocked at the call. 

“I was surprised because I don’t know how they can ‘T’ him up when he’s talking Serbian. I think he may have asked them if they want to go out to dinner (Sunday) night possibly. In the moment that you’re sitting over there, it almost appeared to me that it was bang-bang technical fouls. And in talking to (official) Tony (Brothers) — and I got a lot of respect for the crew there — they felt like there was enough of a delay after the first one for him to step away. And he didn’t. I don’t have any problem with the officials in the moment.” (h/t NBC Sports)

The Bulls needed this win to have some hope of making the playoffs this season in what has been an extremely disappointing season. Vucevic is a core tenet of what the current core is looking to achieve, so pulling off a win without him on the floor for most of the game was very impressive.


The Bulls Have Renewed Hope 

The ceiling on the outcome of this Bulls season is very low. Not many expect them to upset one of the top seeds in the East by sneaking their way in through the play-in. they are currently the 10th seed but looking to earn the 8th seed at the least, only half a game behind the Atlanta Hawks.

Vucevic had seemingly given up on their chances this season, but they’re using their recent momentum to add wins to the board. They’re bound to lose their first-round pick in the trade to acquire Vucevic in 2021 to the Orlando Magic, so avenues to improve the squad in the summer are low. 

Vuc is also a free agent, so a lot of tough calls await the Bulls in the summer. In the meantime, they’d like to at least go back to the playoffs for a second season in a row.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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