Derrick Rose announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding a remarkable 16-year NBA career. The 2011 NBA MVP and three-time All-Star made a significant impact on basketball with over 775 regular season and playoff games, showcasing his elite athleticism, explosive dunks, and clutch performances.
Reflecting on Rose’s career, here are 12 of his most memorable games, in chronological order:
On April 18, 2009, in his playoff debut against the Boston Celtics, Rose delivered an electrifying performance, scoring 36 points and registering 11 assists in a dramatic 105-103 overtime victory.
In a double-overtime clash against the Washington Wizards on January 15, 2010, Rose scored 37 points, including the game-winner after assisting on a crucial shot in the first overtime.
A standout moment from January 22, 2010, was Rose’s spectacular two-handed fast-break dunk over Goran Dragic during a game against the Phoenix Suns, which the Bulls won 115-104.
After becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, Rose showcased his skills on May 6, 2011, by scoring a playoff career-high of 44 points against the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Bulls take a 2-1 lead in the series.
On December 25, 2011, Rose hit a game-winning shot against the Los Angeles Lakers, driving in for a hook shot to secure the Bulls’ victory on Christmas Day.
In a thrilling March 7, 2012, matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, Rose hit a buzzer-beater to win the game, finishing with 30 points and leading the Bulls to victory.
After missing the previous season due to injury, Rose returned on October 31, 2013, and sealed a narrow win against the New York Knicks with a clutch floater, sending the United Center into a frenzy.
During a key game on January 27, 2015, Rose contributed significantly to the Bulls’ victory over the Golden State Warriors, hitting a contested shot in overtime.
On May 8, 2015, Rose drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the Bulls a 98-96 win in the playoffs.
In a memorable performance on October 31, 2018, Rose recorded a career-high 50 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a win against the Utah Jazz, including crucial late-game plays.
On January 20, 2019, he came off the bench to score 31 points, finishing the game with a clutch jumper that led to a comeback victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Finally, the last game-winning shot of Rose’s career came on December 9, 2019, when he scored 21 points, including a decisive jumper in the final seconds to secure a win for the Detroit Pistons against the New Orleans Pelicans.