On December 26, the Chicago Bulls rallied from a 12-point hole to win 117-113 against the Atlanta Hawks.
According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, they did it without Nikola Vucevic, who was out with a strained adductor. Because of Andre Drummond’s efforts, their mission was made easier, and Vucevic’s absence was minimized.
Drummond had 24 points, 25 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist in the game.
“Staying ready. Staying ready. Come in each and every day prepared for if my number’s called. Any opportunity, I just try to seize it,” Drummond said via Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic after the game. “My mentality is that I’m not a backup. I still believe I’m a starter in this league. But the position I’m in now, I take it and play to the best of my ability.”
Drummond was making his first start for the Bulls after filling in for Vucevic, who started all 82 games last season.
According to Stathead, this is Drummond’s 45th 20-20 game of his career, which ranks him 15th in NBA history.
It’s also the 46th such outing by a Bulls player, the second this season (Vucevic had 21 points and 20 rebounds in a road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on November 1), but only the second time since 2014 (Pau Gasol).
This @AndreDrummond stat line!!!
24 PTS | 25 REB | 2 BLK | 3 STL | 11-13 FG pic.twitter.com/Jyw76xab3l
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2023
Drummond was asked how difficult it was for him to come off the bench while still having the mindset of a starter.
“It’s not hard at all,” Drummond said. “Being a good teammate is easy. It’s not hard to support your teammates, and it’s reciprocated when it’s my turn.”
Could Drummond get that turn with the Los Angeles Lakers again?
Bulls’ Andre Drummond Name-Dropped in Lakers Trade Chatter
“I still think the most realistic and best-case scenario for the Lakers is some sort of deal with Chicago where they get [Alex] Caruso and someone like Andre Drummond,” said Jason Timpf on the “Hoops Tonight” podcast on December 26. “Maybe that’s the deal that probably requires draft compensation.”
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