Huerter's Buzzer-Beater Lifts Bulls Past Celtics 114-111 Before Rose Ceremony

Game Summary

The Chicago Bulls honored franchise legend Derrick Rose with a thrilling 114-111 victory over the Boston Celtics at United Center on Friday night, as Kevin Huerter nailed a corner three-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining to send the sold-out crowd into a frenzy. The dramatic finish came just moments before Rose's jersey retirement ceremony and propelled Chicago to its fourth consecutive victory.

Coby White led the Bulls with 22 points while Jaylen Brown poured in a game-high 33 points for Boston. The back-and-forth contest featured 21 lead changes and 10 ties, with Brown tying the game 111-111 with just 14 seconds remaining before Huerter delivered the knockout blow. The victory improved Chicago to 23-22, marking the first time the Bulls have been above .500 since November.

Historic Moment for Bulls Franchise

Derrick Rose joined rarified air, becoming just the fifth player in Bulls history to have his jersey retired alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan, and Bob Love. The Chicago native and 2011 NBA MVP saw his No. 1 jersey raised to the United Center rafters in a ceremony following the game.

Huerter arrived at United Center wearing Rose's No. 1 jersey in tribute to the franchise icon. His game-winning shot provided the perfect exclamation point to an emotional evening celebrating one of the most electrifying players in Bulls history.

Three-Point Barrage Fuels Chicago

The Bulls posted a 21-45 shooting effort from downtown (47%), outscoring Boston by 18 points from three-point range. The Celtics, who entered the night averaging the second-most three-pointers per game in the NBA and the eighth-highest success rate, managed just 15-of-47 (32%) from beyond the arc.

Chicago's first four made field goals came from long range, with Matas Buzelis knocking down a 23-footer to get things started. Coby White then hit back-to-back triples, and Jalen Smith added another to help the Bulls build an early lead. White finished 5-of-9 from three-point range, continuing his recent hot streak.

The Bulls have now made 17+ threes in four consecutive games, just the third time in franchise history they've accomplished that feat. Their 83 total made threes over the past four games represent the most in any four-game stretch in team history.

Game Breakdown

First Half: Back-and-Forth Battle

The Bulls shot 48% in the first quarter and took a 30-28 lead behind strong three-point shooting. However, Jaylen Brown took over in the second quarter, either scoring or assisting on 15 of Boston's 30 points in the period. The Celtics went 8-of-11 in the paint during the second quarter while the Bulls committed five of their eight first-half turnovers, allowing Boston to build a 58-52 halftime advantage.

Despite shooting better from the field and having a couple more made threes, the Bulls trailed at halftime due to their turnover issues and Boston's dominance in the paint.

Second Half: Bulls Take Control, Then Hold On

Chicago came out of halftime with a huge sense of urgency. The Bulls shot 14-of-20 from the field in the third quarter (70%) and went 8-of-10 in the paint. Patrick Williams provided a highlight-reel baseline drive and dunk, while Coby White drew a huge charge in crunch time. Jalen Smith forced a crucial jump ball with excellent defense on Jaylen Brown.

Quick passing from the Bulls' guards led to late rotations for the Celtics. Chicago's ball movement was exceptional, finishing with 32 assists on 43 made field goals. The Bulls also held an 18-8 advantage in fastbreak points, capitalizing on Boston's fatigue from playing a double-overtime game less than 24 hours earlier against Brooklyn.

The game came down to the final seconds. Chicago led 111-109 when Coby White missed a driving layup and Jalen Smith missed the putback with 20 seconds remaining. Jaylen Brown grabbed the rebound and drove for a layup to tie it 111-111 with 14 seconds left. The Bulls called timeout and drew up a play for Huerter, who nailed the corner three with less than a second remaining.

Key Performances

Coby White: Hot Streak Continues

Coby White has now scored 22+ points in four straight games, rediscovering the offensive rhythm that made him such a dangerous scorer. White led the Bulls with 22 points on 6-of-16 shooting, hitting 5-of-9 from three-point range and going perfect from the free-throw line (5-of-5). White also distributed seven assists while committing four turnovers.

White played a major part in tiring out Boston with his ball movement, including passing up the game-winning shot attempt despite his hot night. His willingness to make the extra pass exemplified the team-first mentality that has fueled Chicago's winning streak.

Kevin Huerter: Hero on Rose Night

At the end of the day, when you hit a near buzzer-beater on Derrick Rose night over the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, you deserve all the credit. Huerter finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 24 minutes off the bench. His 5-of-7 shooting included the game-winning three-pointer that sent United Center into pandemonium.

Huerter's arrival at the arena wearing Rose's No. 1 jersey showed his respect for the franchise legend, and his clutch performance gave Bulls fans the perfect way to celebrate before the jersey retirement ceremony.

Jaylen Brown: Stellar Despite Loss

Jaylen Brown dropped a game-high 33 points for the Celtics, shooting 14-of-28 from the field with eight rebounds and five assists. The All-Star forward was magnificent all night, particularly in the second quarter when he dominated the offense. His tying layup with 14 seconds remaining appeared to send the game to overtime, but Huerter's heroics denied Brown the victory his performance deserved.

Anfernee Simons added 21 points for Boston on 8-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. Derrick White contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, though he struggled from the field at 5-of-18.

What It Means

The Bulls move to 23-22 on the season, climbing above .500 for the first time since November. The four-game winning streak has Chicago playing its best basketball of the season, with elite three-point shooting and balanced scoring fueling the surge. Seven players finished in double figures against the Celtics, showcasing the depth that has become a hallmark of this winning streak.

Boston played the game less than 24 hours after a double-overtime contest against Brooklyn, and the fatigue factor clearly played a role. The Celtics sit dead last in pace this season, while Chicago ranks among the quickest playing teams in the NBA. The Bulls exploited this advantage in the second half, pushing tempo and attacking in transition.

For Boston, the loss drops them to 28-17 but they remain firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference. The quick turnaround and back-to-back scheduling made this a difficult situation, though the Celtics will be disappointed they couldn't close out a game they tied with 14 seconds remaining.

Looking Ahead

The Bulls will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they host the Los Angeles Lakers (27-17) on Monday night at United Center. It will be a challenging matchup against a Lakers team led by LeBron James that has been playing well lately. With the Bulls' hot three-point shooting and balanced scoring attack, they'll look to continue their strong play at home where they've been particularly effective this season.

With the team now firmly above .500 and playing their best basketball of the season, every game becomes increasingly important as they position themselves for a potential playoff push in the competitive Eastern Conference. The return of Josh Giddey has provided additional playmaking, and if the Bulls can maintain their three-point shooting prowess, they could be a dangerous team down the stretch.

The Celtics will return home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at TD Garden. Boston will be eager to bounce back from this disappointing loss, and the day off should help the second-place Celtics regroup after playing three games in four nights.

Final Thoughts

On a night dedicated to honoring one of the franchise's greatest players, the current Bulls roster delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. Huerter's buzzer-beater will be remembered as one of the signature moments of the 2025-26 season, a game-winner that sent the United Center crowd into delirium just before they celebrated Derrick Rose's enshrinement into Bulls immortality.

The victory wasn't without its flaws—15 turnovers nearly proved costly, and the Bulls were fortunate that Boston's fatigue from the previous night's double-overtime game became a factor. But the ability to execute in the clutch and knock down shots when it mattered most is exactly the kind of growth this young team needs to demonstrate.

White's continued excellence, elite three-point shooting (21-of-45), and contributions from throughout the roster all played crucial roles in toppling one of the East's elite teams. As the Bulls prepare for the Lakers on Monday night, they carry legitimate momentum and confidence. Moving above .500 for the first time since November represents more than just a mathematical milestone—it signals a team that's finally starting to realize its potential.