Yuki Kawamura Makes NBA Debut as Chicago Bulls Dominate Grizzlies

On March 16th (local time), the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center. The Bulls delivered a resounding victory, defeating the Grizzlies 132-107, and the night was particularly special with the NBA debut of Japanese guard, Yuki Kawamura.

The Bulls started with a lineup of Josh Giddey, Trey Jones, Matas Buzelis, Leonard Miller, and Jalen Smith. Kawamura, on a two-way contract, made the bench for the ninth consecutive game, returning to face a familiar opponent.

A High-Scoring First Half

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads. Trailing by one point, the Bulls rallied in the final minutes of the second quarter, fueled by a three-pointer from Smith and a clutch shot from Garsons Yabusele, taking a 61-57 lead into halftime.

Bulls Pull Away in the Third

The third quarter saw the Bulls explode offensively. Miller, Giddey, and Buzelis all connected on three-pointers early on, extending their lead to 82-61 within the first five minutes. Kawamura entered the game with 3:44 remaining in the quarter, immediately contributing with a beautiful assist to Yabusele.

Kawamura’s Debut Performance

Kawamura started the fourth quarter alongside Giddey, Buzelis, Nick Richards, and Rob Dillingham. He quickly made his mark, sinking a fadeaway jumper just over a minute into the quarter. He then confidently converted all three of his free throw attempts shortly after, and drew an offensive foul on DeJon Jarreau. He returned to the court with 2:51 left in the game, finishing with 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 3 turnovers in 11 minutes and 49 seconds of playing time.

Dominant Team Performance

The Bulls’ victory was a team effort. Buzelis led the way with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Jones added 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Giddey recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Dillingham contributed 15 points, Smith had 13 points, Yabusele added 13, and Miller finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Next Up for the Bulls

The Chicago Bulls will next face the Toronto Raptors on March 18th (March 19th local time).

Game Results

Chicago Bulls 132 – 107 Memphis Grizzlies

CHI | 29 | 32 | 36 | 35 | = 132

MEM | 27 | 30 | 29 | 21 | = 107

Further Reading:

• NBA Official Website – Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA news and scores.
• ESPN NBA – Comprehensive coverage of the NBA, including analysis and highlights.