LAS VEGAS — After his summer-league debut was delayed by a day, and after his dissatisfaction with an underwhelming performance in his first NBA showing, Bulls rookie Julian Phillips was ready to play again immediately Saturday.

But he’ll have to wait until Tuesday.

Phillips, the 35th pick in this year’s draft, scored two points with four rebounds and one block in 24 minutes off the bench in Chicago’s 87-80 loss to Memphis. He committed three turnovers and four fouls. And when it was over, he couldn’t wait to step on the court again.

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“My performance wasn’t what I wanted it to be,” he said. “I was kind of trying to figure out how the game was going to go. But I’m glad I got that game under me to see what it is so I can be better on the next outing.”

Phillips did not play Friday against Toronto because he had yet to sign his rookie contract. But the two sides reached an agreement in time for Phillips to suit up Saturday.

Julian Phillips explains his absence from the Bulls’ summer league opener Friday and discusses his performance in his debut in today’s loss to Memphis.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) July 9, 2023

“It was the business side of it,” Phillips said. “I’ve just got to get that handled first obviously because this is my job now. So it is a business. So it’s just making sure everything is the right way.”

Phillips is not likely to crack the Bulls’ rotation next season. But after Chicago traded into the draft, relinquishing two future second-round picks to acquire his rights on draft night, the expectation was Phillips would begin to show why the Bulls were so aggressive in their pursuit. That, however, didn’t happen Saturday.

Rather than going into the game seeking to impose his will, Phillips played it cool. In not trying to do too much, he didn’t do enough. His effort was there, but his impact left a lot to be desired. He didn’t score his first and only points until the final three minutes, a catch-and-shoot long 2 that initially was ruled a 3-pointer. None of his rebounds came in traffic, save his first off his own miss — his only other shot attempt.

“I try to go out and grab (the game),” he said. “But this was my first game on this level. Every level’s different as you go up more. So you kind of see what the game is. But I’ll definitely be better on the next outing.”

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Most of all, Phillips’ highly praised defensive ability and world-class athleticism didn’t translate. He matched up primarily against Vince Williams Jr., who has a year of NBA experience as a two-way contract player with the Grizzlies last season. Williams scored only seven points on 3-of-9 shooting. Another of Phillips’ matchups, Jake LaRavia, the 19th overall pick in 2022, managed 15 points but on 3-of-13 shooting. Phillips held his own, but he didn’t lock anyone up.

Phillips’ fouling was a concern. He was whistled for his first foul only 11 seconds into his first stint, which came midway through the first quarter. He later admitted a noticeable difference in the speed of the game compared to college.

“It is a different game than college basketball,” he said. “But it’s something that you’ve just got to do. You’ve got to just play more so you can get accustomed to it.”

On two occasions, Phillips had opportunities to showcase his 43-inch vertical leap when the Grizzlies had one-man breakaways with him as the only Bulls player giving pursuit. But in both instances, Phillips failed to challenge the shots.

“The second one, I was behind him,” he said. “The first one, I went out of bounds. I’ve just got to be in the right position for stuff like that.”

But it was only Game 1.

“I was excited that Julian got in there, got a taste of it,” Bulls summer-league coach John Bryant said. “There’s two lines. There’s your expectations. You think everything is just going to go up. ‘I’m going to score 20. I’m going to have seven rebounds. I’m going to have three steals. We’re going to win every game.’ But then real life happens.

“He’s probably a little disappointed. … But I told him in the game, ‘This is your first game in the NBA. You have a lot more. What are you going to do to improve the next game? How are you going to get yourself ready for the next game? I’m encouraged because he did do some things on the floor that contributed. But it’s up to him to bounce back. He’s a rookie.”

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Freeman-Liberty shines, waiting for NBA call

Chicago native, DePaul alum and Windy City Bulls guard Javon Freeman-Liberty was a bright spot in the loss.

He scored a team-high 24 points with six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. He made 9-of-15 shots, including 4-of-6 3-pointers, and committed only two turnovers while sharing lead guard duties.

Freeman-Liberty averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 17 games with Windy City last season. He shot 49.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent on five 3-pointers per game.

Now, the 23-year-old guard is waiting on a call from the NBA.

“All my life I’ve been fighting to get here,” he said. “And I feel like I’m still not (anywhere). So I still got that chip on my shoulder, and I’m still motivated each and every day.

“Just go out there and prove I belong somewhere. Not just anywhere. But I belong somewhere out there on that floor to help a team out one day.”

Lewis leaves with ankle injury

Justin Lewis, who is on a Bulls two-way contract, sustained a left ankle injury midway through the first quarter and did not return after exiting.

Lewis rolled his ankle following a smooth spin move and layup. He remained on the court momentarily, clutching at his ankle before limping to the bench.

It’s another tough break for the young forward, who missed all of his rookie season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. Lewis has been a full participant with the summer-league roster but is still working his way back from last year’s setback.

(Photo of Julian Phillips: Zach Beeker / NBAE via Getty Images)