DeMar DeRozan entered rarefied air Monday as he matched a scoring performance that had only been recorded by one other player in Chicago Bulls history: Michael Jordan.
DeRozan tallied 41 points and 11 assists in a 133-129 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Before Monday’s game, Jordan was the only Bulls player to ever finish a game with more than 40 points and 10 assists.
The final stat line reflected DeRozan’s evolving role for the Bulls, who have relied on their veteran star to serve as a distributor more this season than in previous years. And DeRozan still delivered his necessary scoring production, knocking down the tying basket to send the game into overtime.
DeRozan’s new standing in Bulls history came as a surprise postgame. The 15-year league veteran is accustomed to setting and breaking records, but matching Jordan in Bulls history made a significant impression.
“Anything with Michael Jordan in it is a hell of a compliment,” DeRozan said. “He’s one of a kind. I never take none of that stuff for granted.”
Jordan recorded this feat nine times in his career. The last time he tallied 40 or more points and 10 or more assists in a game was on Dec. 23, 1992, in a 107-98 win over the Washington Bullets. Jordan scored 57 points and added 10 assists in the second-half comeback.
The game was preceded by a piece of quintessential drama. Coach Phil Jackson wanted the Bulls to participate in a pregame shootaround. Jordan refused and an argument ensued. The star went on to drop nearly 60 points, drawing all the attention in what was also the 200th win of Jackson’s career as a coach.