Did someone call for an encore?
Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan sure knows how to end, and begin, a year unlike anyone else. On Saturday, he became the only player in NBA history with a game-winning buzzer-beater on consecutive days.
His impressive two-game stretch started on Dec. 31 with a one-legged 3-pointer that lifted the Bulls over the Indiana Pacers, 108-106.
It was only the second game-winning buzzer-beater of DeRozan’s career and first by a Bulls player since Jimmy Butler in December 2016.
After the game, Pacers All-Star Domantas Sabonis, succinctly summarized DeRozan’s buzzer-beater, which was later dubbed the “New Year’s Heave” by Zach LaVine on social media.
“Sometimes that shot goes in, sometimes it doesn’t,” said the Pacers’ star.
On the other side, DeRozan also offered insight on how he views late-game moments.
“I always think about the next opportunity and try to capitalize on that the best I can.”
Little did he know that his next opportunity would come less than 24 hours later against the Washington Wizards.
DeRozan, the league leader in total points and points per game in the fourth quarter, sunk a corner 3-pointer over two defenders at the buzzer to extend the Bulls’ win streak to seven games.
He’s now tied the teams single-season record for buzzer-beaters, including the playoffs, sharing the mark with Michael Jordan (1992-93 and 1996-97) and Toni Kukoc (1993-94). However, DeRozan has the distinction of being the only Bulls player with multiple regular-season buzzer-beaters.
After the game his teammates further sang his praises on social media.
CROWN HIM.
THE KING OF THE FOURTH.@DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/g4DZlpAqJi
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 2, 2022
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH @DeMar_DeRozan
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) January 2, 2022
😭😭😭😭DEEEBBOOOO !! Bulls win .. AGAIN
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) January 2, 2022
This kinda energy for all of 2022, please pic.twitter.com/tMMlv7MXv5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 2, 2022
Wizards center Montrezl Harrell was unavailable for the game since he is in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, but still weighed in on his squad’s heartbreaking loss.
Damn Debo can’t do nothing but shake hands damn
— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) January 2, 2022
LeBron James and Chris Paul were among the NBA stars that offered their takes on DeRozan’s historic two-game stretch.
WOOOWWW!! D-Bo AGAIN!!!!! Ballgame
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 2, 2022
Demar so cold!!!!!!!!!!! ✊🏾
— Chris Paul (@CP3) January 2, 2022
Damn demar back to back. 💯🤝
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) January 2, 2022
“
Dbooooooo https://t.co/QmScQiUK6e
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 2, 2022
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) January 2, 2022
Bro you different 😤 @DeMar_DeRozan https://t.co/TLsImnIG71
— pascal siakam (@pskills43) January 2, 2022
Another 1* Khaled voice https://t.co/st0saFfJxo
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) January 2, 2022
2/2 game winning 3’s at the buzzer!! Naw you different bro @DeMar_DeRozan
— Jordan Bell (@1jordanbell) January 2, 2022
ESPN Stats and Information contributed to this story.
