Yuki Kawamura has returned to the basketball court after a challenging three-month recovery from a blood clot issue in his leg, which had cast doubt on the future of his playing career. The 5-7 rookie was activated for the Chicago Bulls’ game against the Miami Heat, and the moment was truly significant for him.
“Rehab wasn’t easy,” Kawamura expressed. “It was a long way. I found out I had a blood clot before the season started and I felt real bad because I was so super excited to play. I’m super happy to be here and to be back on the court.”
Last season, while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Kawamura became a fan favorite due to his tenacity on defense and dynamic passing skills, appearing in 22 games. The Bulls recognized his potential and signed him during the offseason on a two-way contract—he shined in Summer League play, earning high praise from teammates like Matas Buzelis.
After appearing in two preseason games and showcasing his skills, Kawamura was sidelined as the blood clot was diagnosed just before the regular season began. “I didn’t play basketball for three months. I couldn’t play contact, so I kept lifting and working out, but no contact. I just started playing with contact like two weeks ago, so I’m getting used to it,” he explained.
As he looks forward to demonstrating why he deserves to be in the NBA, Kawamura mentioned, “I’m confident I can play in the NBA. I want to bring the energy from the bench, pick up full court, no-look pass, like that. This is my job.”
In contrast, Josh Giddey is nursing a left hamstring issue that flared up during the game against the Pacers, leading the Bulls to exercise caution by holding him out of the matchup against Miami. “Because of the past injury, they want to make sure they can clear the tightness up because they worry about it going from one thing to the next,” head coach Billy Donovan noted. While there’s no strain or setback, the timeline for Giddey’s return remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Coby White is showing improved conditioning after dealing with calf issues that hampered his performance earlier in the season. Donovan described White’s rhythm returning, particularly noting his strong performance in a recent game against Brooklyn. Over the last ten games, White has averaged 30.8 minutes per game and has contributed significantly with an average of 19.7 points.
Kawamura’s return highlights the resilience and dedication of athletes facing health challenges, while the team navigates their lineup with ongoing injuries. Fans remain hopeful that both Giddey and White will make strong recoveries and positively impact the Bulls’ season ahead.