NEW YORK – Japan men’s basketball team guard Yuki Kawamura made his NBA season debut for the Chicago Bulls in Saturday’s 125-118 win over the Miami Heat, contributing six points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 11 minutes off the bench.
The 24-year-old re-signed with the Bulls on a two-way deal last month, having impressed for them in Summer League before his contract was terminated while he underwent treatment for blood clots in his right leg.
Kawamura made his presence felt late in a close contest at Miami’s Kaseya Center. With just over seven minutes left and the Bulls up 97-95, he sank his second three-pointer of the game to give his team the momentum.
Chicago Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura (C) drives to the basket during an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Miami on Jan. 31, 2026. (AP/Kyodo)
The 170-centimeter playmaker later stunned the Miami crowd by forcing a jump ball and winning the ensuing tip against 196-cm opponent Kasparas Jakucionis.
“I’m so happy we got the win tonight,” Kawamura told TV broadcaster CHSN after the game. “I just wanted to bring the energy off the bench.”
The Bulls improved to 24-25 with the win and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Kawamura, a standout for Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is in his second NBA season after playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024-2025 on a two-way contract, splitting his time between the premier basketball competition and the developmental G League.