With Bulls Banged Up, Yuki Kawamura Could Get His Shot in Miami
The Chicago Bulls are heading into the first leg of a back-to-back against the Miami Heat without several key pieces, and that could open the door for a new-yet familiar-face to finally see the floor: Yuki Kawamura.
The injury report is crowded. Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith are both out-Giddey still nursing a left hamstring injury, while Smith is sidelined with calf tightness.
Coby White is listed as doubtful, also due to a calf issue. Nikola Vucevic is doubtful for rest, and Tre Jones remains out with his own hamstring trouble.
Zach Collins continues to be sidelined with a lingering toe injury.
That’s a lot of rotation minutes suddenly up for grabs. And with that, Kawamura might finally get his NBA moment.
The 22-year-old guard from Japan suited up for Thursday night’s matchup with Miami at the United Center but didn’t get any playing time in the Bulls’ narrow 116-113 loss. Still, just being active was a step forward. Now, with the team shorthanded and on the road in South Beach, the opportunity may finally come.
Kawamura’s path to this point has been anything but straightforward. After being waived by the Bulls back in October to make room for Trentyn Flowers, he found his way back to the roster on January 8 via a two-way contract. Since then, he’s been grinding behind the scenes, waiting for a chance.
And if you watched him during the 2025 Summer League, you know the potential is real. Kawamura averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 assists over five games, showing off a quick first step, excellent vision, and a knack for making things happen in the pick-and-roll. He’s not just a fan favorite because of his international roots-he’s earned the buzz with his play.
The Bulls, sitting at 23-25 and clinging to the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, are in a tight race with little margin for error. Every game counts, and every minute on the floor matters. That’s why this weekend in Miami is more than just a scheduling quirk-it could be a turning point for a player like Kawamura.
After the Heat, Chicago’s road trip continues with a tough matchup against the Bucks on Tuesday, followed by a visit to Toronto to face the Raptors on Thursday. Then it’s back home to host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
It’s a demanding stretch, and with the roster banged up, the Bulls may need to lean on some of their depth. If Kawamura gets the call, it’ll be a chance to prove he belongs-not just as a feel-good story, but as a legitimate contributor on a team fighting for playoff position.
YUKI TIME IN SOUTH BEACH https://t.co/WVjQ4ccpyu
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) January 31, 2026
Keep an eye on this one. It might be Yuki time in South Beach after all.