Nearly a year has passed since Josh Giddey delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of last season-a half-court buzzer-beater that lifted the Chicago Bulls past the Los Angeles Lakers. That shot didn’t just win a game; it became a defining moment, one that still echoes as these two teams prepare to meet again for the first time since.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reflects on Josh Giddeys half court buzzer beater against the Lakers a year ago.
— Zachary Draves (@DravesZachary) January 26, 2026
“Certainly a game both teams will remember” @ClutchPoints pic.twitter.com/RXESXWDCdC
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan took a moment before the game to reflect on that chaotic finish, a sequence that turned in the Bulls’ favor in the blink of an eye.
“It was certainly a wild twelve seconds,” Donovan said. “There was a lot of points scored in twelve seconds. I know that the half-court shot is what everybody talks about, but I thought Josh did a great job at the play before-kind of shooting the gap and generating the steal-which allowed for Patrick Williams to make the three.”
He’s not wrong. That final sequence was more than just a highlight reel buzzer-beater.
It was a showcase of Giddey’s instincts and awareness-reading the play, jumping a passing lane, and setting the table for a clutch three before hitting the dagger himself. Donovan summed it up perfectly: “That was as wild as it gets.”
Still, Donovan isn’t sure how much that moment changed things for Giddey personally. “I don't know necessarily what it has done for Josh,” he said.
“They're onto the next game, there's another game coming, and obviously, you're talking about something that happened back in March. Certainly, I think both teams will remember that game.”
One thing is certain: Giddey has continued to earn his place in Chicago since that night.
He’s currently working his way back from a hamstring injury and is on a minutes restriction. Last Saturday, he logged 24 minutes in a tight 114-111 win over the Boston Celtics.
The box score may have shown just four points, but the stat line tells a more complete story-10 assists, eight rebounds, and his usual floor-general presence. Even in limited action, Giddey finds ways to impact the game.
On the season, he’s averaging 18.8 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game-numbers that place him just shy of a nightly triple-double. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of a player who sees the floor differently, who understands tempo, spacing, and how to create opportunities for others.
And that buzzer-beater? It might’ve been the spark that solidified his place in Chicago’s long-term plans.
After the All-Star break last season, Giddey took his game to another level-averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game. That stretch wasn’t just a hot streak-it was a statement.
The Bulls responded accordingly, rewarding him over the summer with a four-year, $100 million contract. It was a clear vote of confidence, signaling that the franchise sees Giddey not just as a playmaker, but as a cornerstone.
That one shot in March was the headline, but the real story has been what followed: a young guard growing into his role, producing across the board, and proving he can be the engine of a team with playoff aspirations.
As the Bulls and Lakers square off again, the buzz around Giddey’s shot will naturally resurface. But inside the locker room-and in the front office-it’s everything that came after that shot that’s mattered most.