The Chicago Bulls pulled out a 130–124 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Matas Buzelis posted a career-high 41 points, while Josh Giddey recorded a massive triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists.

But it was how the game was won that makes me feel okay about the Bulls picking up a victory in this situation which sounds insane to say considering the team’s current position. The Bulls need to learn how to win games. Development isn’t just about stats or minutes played, it’s about experiencing high-pressure situations and learning how to close games out. Tuesday night provided exactly that kind of experience for this young core.

Matas Buzelis stepping up as the leading scorer while Josh Giddey orchestrated the offense showcased a brand of balanced basketball that fans can actually get excited about. With Giddey controlling the tempo and Buzelis attacking as the primary scorer, the Bulls looked like a team beginning to find an identity. At the same time, the team still appears to be hovering around the ninth or 10th position in the lottery standings, meaning they are still very much in the developmental stage of this rebuild. The Bulls also had not won a game during the entire month of February, so grinding out a tough overtime victory like this is a welcome change of pace for a team that has struggled to close games this season.

My Hottest Take: Matas needs to take the reins!

For the Bulls to truly take the next step, their young star needs to take the next step as well. Buzelis has already shown improvement in his scoring (8.6 to 15.8 PPG) from his rookie season into year two, which is an encouraging sign. Since the roster shifted after the trade deadline, his role has expanded and he has increasingly become the team’s primary offensive option. But Bulls fans want to see even more aggression in his game.

That means attacking the basket with confidence, demanding the ball in key moments, and developing the ability to dominate stretches of games. The great players in this league don’t just score, they control the game’s pace and momentum.

That development will likely start against teams that are also fighting in the lottery standings. And while the Warriors were missing key players, this was still the type of game where young players can play loose and test themselves. Buzelis responded in a big way.

What you need to know: Josh Giddey is proving to be a pillar

Josh Giddey continues to prove he can be a foundational piece for this Bulls team.

His triple-double performance against Golden State demonstrated exactly what makes him valuable, his ability to bring balance to the offense. With 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists, Giddey controlled the pace of the game and consistently created opportunities for teammates. Giddey’s all-around play has been a defining trait of his career. Throughout his time in Chicago he has consistently filled the stat sheet and even joined the short list of Bulls players with multiple triple-double seasons in franchise history.

Beyond the box score, his ability to run the offense allows players like Buzelis to operate more naturally as scorers. That dynamic could be key to the future of this roster. Health has unfortunately been a challenge this season, as Giddey has only appeared in 43 games so far. But if Tuesday night is a glimpse into what the future could look like when he and Buzelis are both rolling, then the long-term possibilities for this team become much more interesting. Especially once the Bulls eventually find another star to place alongside them.

Before you go: There's beauty in the struggle

Buzelis and Giddey are a good starting point. But if the Bulls truly want to reach the next level, they still need another star ideally someone capable of being a top-five or top-10 caliber player in the league who can directly impact wins and losses.

Unless the Bulls get incredibly lucky in the lottery, the odds of landing that franchise-altering player through the draft are slim.

However, the NBA is constantly shifting. Every year a star becomes unhappy with their situation and begins looking for a new opportunity. If the Bulls continue developing their young core and positioning themselves with assets and flexibility, they could be in position when that opportunity presents itself. The key will be whether the front office is ready to make that move when the moment arrives.