Yuki Kawamura Shares Jersey-Swap Moment With Rui Hachimura After Bulls-Lakers

Chicago Bulls guard yuki kawamura turned a high-scoring loss into a memorable night Thursday, reuniting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura after Chicago’s 142-130 defeat and sharing a postgame jersey exchange that highlighted the rare sight of two Japanese players appearing in the same NBA game.

Postgame Reunion Ends With Signed Jerseys

After the final buzzer, yuki kawamura and Rui Hachimura—teammates on Japan’s national team—met in the locker room for a “signature” moment in the most literal sense. Kawamura had a signed Hachimura jersey, and he signed one for Hachimura as well.

The exchange underscored the significance of the matchup beyond the box score, with the moment framed as a “big deal” simply for featuring two Japanese players in the same game.

Yuki Kawamura’s Night: Limited Minutes, Lasting Memory

On the court, Kawamura played 10 minutes off the bench and finished with three points, one rebound, and two assists. The Bulls came up short in a 142-130 loss, but the evening still stood out for Kawamura because of what happened afterward.

Hachimura, meanwhile, scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the Lakers’ win over Chicago.

From Summer League Fan Favorite to Two-Way Return

Kawamura, 24, became a fan favorite in Chicago when he joined the Bulls in last year’s Summer League. His run with the team took a turn when he was released during training camp after suffering a leg injury, a move that left many fans disappointed and vocal about wanting him back.

In January, Chicago brought him back on a two-way deal. The guard has been described as more than a novelty, with his vision and passing highlighted as key strengths as he looks to impact games by setting up teammates.

Kawamura and Hachimura last suited up together for Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Japan went winless in three games. Hachimura led the team in scoring with 22. 0 points, while Kawamura averaged 20. 3 points and 7. 7 assists.