Yuki Kawamura Is Going Viral For This Moment In His NBA Debut
This weekend featured several entirely new looks for the Chicago Bulls. With as many as eight players on the injury report on a single day, the Bulls just wrapped up a brutal four-game stretch in five days. They would finish 1-3, with the last of them being an embarrassing 43-point loss in Miami. During this span, most of the Bulls’ roster saw irregular playing time and varying roles, and some were rested for a game. Yuki Kawamura, a second-year fan-favorite guard who stands at 5’7″, checked into the game Saturday night for the first time as an NBA player. Not only did he maximize his opportunity and see over double the minutes the following night, but he also gave social media this amazing moment.
Bringing A Spark
The broadcast crew during yesterday’s blowout loss did a perfect job of summarizing what players like Kawamura can represent for a franchise. As a player who had not been granted minutes at the NBA level yet in his basketball career, someone who works every single day for the chance to perform on the big stage, and a guy with the most pressure to perform, the youngster brought a level of energy and intensity that should be noted by Chicago’s everyday rotational pieces. He was relentless in his effort to compete, and despite the numbers not being flashy, his debut weekend was ultimately a success. In the two-game stretch, he drilled a couple of three-point baskets, dished out eight assists, grabbed nine boards, and swiped a pair of steals in 38 minutes of action.
“I just wanted to bring the energy”
Yuki Kawamura after crucial minutes in the Bulls’ win tonight pic.twitter.com/RCy28I4WXN
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) February 1, 2026
With his minutes on Saturday night, Kawamura also became the shortest player in the Chicago Bulls franchise history, and the shortest to earn playing time this year in the NBA. He was also ecstatic about the jump ball win, saying it was the first time in his basketball career that he had come away victorious.
Already A Highlight Reel
During his debut, the 24-year-old guard couldn’t finish the game without giving a memorable moment. Midway through the fourth quarter, he forced a jump-ball in the process of attempting a steal, and was tasked with a jumping contest against the 6’5″ Kasparas Jakucionis. To everyone’s surprise, the shortest player in the organization’s history won the tip.
Yuki Kawamura forces the jumpball.
Yuki Kawamura wins the jumpball!"HE WON THE TIP, HE WON THE TIP!"
Hilarious moment in South Beach pic.twitter.com/dE4MzAeRWx
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026
Rightfully so, this clip has millions of impressions over the last 36 hours, and Kawamura has become one of the easiest guys to root for in the league. While he likely will not be granted a permanent spot in the rotation after the injury report shortens and might not see the floor again for the Bulls after the trade deadline, this weekend’s debut will not be forgotten.