Tyrese Proctor was terrific in his first NBA Start! 🔥

Proctor poured in 16 points to go along with 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 27 minutes of action! 💪 pic.twitter.com/QW359MWlGK

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 20, 2025

Tyrese Proctor started for the first time on Friday, and the rookie responded with a solid performance, helping the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers against the Chicago Bulls.

Proctor produced 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal in the 136-125 loss at Rocket Arena. He shot 6-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, in a season-high 27 minutes as the Cavaliers lost for the eighth time in 11 games.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson turned to Proctor in the starting lineup in place of Donovan Mitchell, who was sidelined with an illness. He stayed in attack mode on offense, while also mixing in several pinpoint passes to his teammates to set up high-percentage looks.

“I understand the more aggressive I am, it is going to free guys up like (Darius Garland), Don, Ev (Mobley) and (Jarrett Allen),” Proctor said. “I think just coming in and having that mentality. I’ve played in big games, so the journey I’ve taken through my three years at Duke and even before that, it prepared me for this. I’m just playing the same way and my brand of basketball.”

Proctor is averaging 5.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 31% shooting from 3-point range in 21 appearances. He has finished in double figures five times, including a 17-point performance on Nov. 7 in a win over the Washington Wizards.

The 49th pick in the draft has played sporadically this season for Atkinson and hadn’t logged more than 10 minutes in a game since Dec. 1 before Friday. Proctor stepped up in a spot start and provided a tremendous lift in the starting group.

“Tyrese, for a guy who hasn’t played in a while, was really good,” Atkinson said. “Great energy. I’m glad we went with him in the starting lineup. I thought it gave us a boost. Obviously, very skilled and gave us another ballhandler out there.”

Proctor was highly touted out of Duke as a player who can impact games on both ends of the court. He also showed that he can play effectively at either guard position, providing versatility in the starting lineup or off the bench, which was on display Friday.

The 21-year-old was ecstatic to join the Cavaliers and develop within their system. He credited the organization for helping him on and off the court early on this season.

“I think I’m still learning, definitely learning on the fly,” Proctor said. “I’ve played a lot more than a lot of people expected, and I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I get on the court. The trust the organization, teammates and coaches have had in me has been really uplifting and helped me a lot on the court, just playing my game.”