Yuki Kawamura’s Debut Was the Spark the Bulls-and Their Fans-Needed
With a battered roster and a brutal schedule, the Chicago Bulls just wrapped up a grueling four games in five nights stretch that left more questions than answers. They went 1-3 in that span, capped off by a humbling 43-point loss in Miami. But even in the middle of that storm, something electric happened-something that reminded everyone why we watch, why we root, and why the NBA is more than just box scores.
Enter Yuki Kawamura.
The 5-foot-7 guard, a second-year player and already a fan favorite despite never logging an NBA minute before this weekend, finally got his shot. And he didn’t just step onto the court-he made the most of every second he got.
A Debut Built on Heart
Kawamura checked in Saturday night for his first NBA action, and by Sunday, he had more than doubled his minutes. Across the two games, he played 38 minutes, knocking down a pair of threes, handing out eight assists, grabbing nine rebounds, and swiping two steals.
No, those aren’t eye-popping numbers. But sometimes, it’s not about the stat line-it’s about the spark.
And Kawamura brought it.
In a stretch where most of Chicago’s regulars were either injured, resting, or playing out of rhythm, Kawamura’s energy stood out. He played like a guy who’s been waiting for this moment his entire life-because he has.
He was relentless defensively, active on the glass, and fearless with the ball in his hands. More than anything, he looked like someone who belonged.
The Bulls’ broadcast crew said it best: players like Kawamura represent something bigger than the game itself. He’s the guy grinding behind the scenes, waiting for a shot that might never come.
And when it finally did, he didn’t flinch. He competed.
“I Just Wanted to Bring the Energy”
That was Kawamura’s message after the game, and it showed. His debut wasn’t just about checking a box or logging a few garbage-time minutes. It was about setting a tone-one that, frankly, some of the Bulls' regulars could take a cue from.
He also made a little history in the process. At 5’7”, Kawamura is now the shortest player in Bulls franchise history, and the shortest to earn playing time in the NBA this season. But that didn’t stop him from delivering one of the most viral moments of the weekend.
The Jump Ball Heard Around the League
Midway through the fourth quarter, Kawamura got tangled up with 6-foot-5 Kasparas Jakucionis, forcing a jump ball. On paper, it wasn’t even a contest.
But Kawamura didn’t care about the paper. He won the tip.
And just like that, the shortest guy on the court delivered a highlight that had NBA Twitter buzzing for the next 36 hours.
It was the kind of moment that makes you do a double take. Not just because of the size mismatch, but because of what it symbolized-grit, hustle, and heart over height.
What Comes Next?
Let’s be real: Kawamura’s minutes will likely dry up once the Bulls get healthy. And with the trade deadline looming, there’s no guarantee he’ll even be on the roster in a few weeks. But that doesn’t take away from what he did this weekend.
He made his NBA debut. He made history.
He gave Bulls fans something to smile about in the middle of a tough stretch. And he reminded everyone watching that sometimes, the best stories in basketball aren’t about superstars or stat sheets-they’re about the guys who fight like hell just to get on the floor.
Yuki Kawamura might not be in the rotation for long. But for one weekend, he gave the Bulls-and their fans-a reason to believe in something bigger than the standings.