OKLAHOMA CITY — Matas Buzelis doesn’t know how the story will end.

Not his story nor Bulls coach Billy Donovan’s.

But the second-year forward said he wouldn’t be the player he is — or is on his way to becoming — if not for Donovan. So the speculation about Donovan possibly wrapping up his stay with the Bulls wasn’t news Buzelis wanted to embrace.

“He’s been everything, man,” Buzelis said. “He’s been a role model to me; he’s someone I look up to as a person, as a human being. He’s a guy that’s been a cornerstone for me. He’s pushed me to my limits, and he’s going to keep pushing me until I can’t be pushed anymore.

‘‘I can’t thank somebody like that enough. He tells you the truth every time.

‘‘It’s hard to do that, especially in this league, to have someone in your corner that is going to tell you everything you need to hear.”

Donovan addressed the rumors Wednesday, and all he would say was that he was looking forward to sitting down with ownership and the front office at the end of the season to get a grasp on the team’s plans for the future.

Buzelis believes Donovan is by far the best qualified coach to lead a turnaround, especially considering how he prefers to be coached.

From Day 1 as a rookie, Donovan has handed him nothing. Minutes have been earned, not gifted, and the hook has been quick at times.

“This might sound crazy, but it’s the truth: He’s teaching me how to be a winning player, and I know everyone will say, ‘Well, you’re not winning a lot of games,’ but he’s taught me the characteristics it takes to win, and that’s all you can ask for,” Buzelis said. “Even when he’s sat me down after a few minutes [into a game], that’s just about telling me what I have to do, what I need to do to be better at it, and a guy like me, I know my time will come.”

But not against the defending NBA champions Friday. While the Bulls (29-44) put up a fight for almost three quarters, the talent deficit was too much to overcome going into the fourth quarter. And with the 131-113 loss, Donovan’s crew was officially eliminated from even reaching play-in status.

Against the Thunder, Donovan liked that his squad didn’t quit until the final horn.

“It comes down to how professional you are and how important these games are,” Donovan said. “How do you internally look at that? I do think a lot of that speaks to character, quite honestly. We have a bunch of good guys in that locker room, and I would bet on them that they would go out there and put their best foot forward, try and do the best they can. The competitive character reveals itself.”

Oklahoma City overcame a nine-point deficit and pulled away in the fourth by starting off the quarter with a 19-6 run.

The Bulls were led by Collin Sexton’s 22 points, and Buzelis had 15.

“I’m going to keep grinding, keep trying to push everybody,” Buzelis said of the nine remaining games.

“We’re not just going to bull[expletive]these next few games we have left. We’re going to try and learn, I’m going to continue to try and learn, and that’s it.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — Matas Buzelis doesn’t know how the story will end.

Not his story nor Bulls coach Billy Donovan’s.

But the second-year forward said he wouldn’t be the player he is — or is on his way to becoming — if not for Donovan. So the speculation about Donovan possibly wrapping up his stay with the Bulls wasn’t news Buzelis wanted to embrace.

“He’s been everything, man,” Buzelis said. “He’s been a role model to me; he’s someone I look up to as a person, as a human being. He’s a guy that’s been a cornerstone for me. He’s pushed me to my limits, and he’s going to keep pushing me until I can’t be pushed anymore.

‘‘I can’t thank somebody like that enough. He tells you the truth every time.

‘‘It’s hard to do that, especially in this league, to have someone in your corner that is going to tell you everything you need to hear.”

Donovan addressed the rumors Wednesday, and all he would say was that he was looking forward to sitting down with ownership and the front office at the end of the season to get a grasp on the team’s plans for the future.

Buzelis believes Donovan is by far the best qualified coach to lead a turnaround, especially considering how he prefers to be coached.

From Day 1 as a rookie, Donovan has handed him nothing. Minutes have been earned, not gifted, and the hook has been quick at times.

“This might sound crazy, but it’s the truth: He’s teaching me how to be a winning player, and I know everyone will say, ‘Well, you’re not winning a lot of games,’ but he’s taught me the characteristics it takes to win, and that’s all you can ask for,” Buzelis said. “Even when he’s sat me down after a few minutes [into a game], that’s just about telling me what I have to do, what I need to do to be better at it, and a guy like me, I know my time will come.”

But not against the defending NBA champions Friday. While the Bulls (29-44) put up a fight for almost three quarters, the talent deficit was too much to overcome going into the fourth quarter. And with the 131-113 loss, Donovan’s crew was officially eliminated from even reaching play-in status.

Against the Thunder, Donovan liked that his squad didn’t quit until the final horn.

“It comes down to how professional you are and how important these games are,” Donovan said. “How do you internally look at that? I do think a lot of that speaks to character, quite honestly. We have a bunch of good guys in that locker room, and I would bet on them that they would go out there and put their best foot forward, try and do the best they can. The competitive character reveals itself.”

Oklahoma City overcame a nine-point deficit and pulled away in the fourth by starting off the quarter with a 19-6 run.

The Bulls were led by Collin Sexton’s 22 points, and Buzelis had 15.

“I’m going to keep grinding, keep trying to push everybody,” Buzelis said of the nine remaining games.

“We’re not just going to bull[expletive]these next few games we have left. We’re going to try and learn, I’m going to continue to try and learn, and that’s it.”