Derrick Rose Honored As Bulls Edge Celtics With Dramatic Finish

The United Center was buzzing with electricity on January 24, 2026, as Chicagoans braved snow and frigid winds to witness a night that will be etched in Bulls history: the retirement of Derrick Rose’s iconic No. 1 jersey. But as the rafters welcomed a new legend, the hardwood delivered a thriller of its own, with the Chicago Bulls edging the Boston Celtics 114-111 on a last-second three-pointer from Kevin Huerter. The city’s grit was on full display, both in the stands and on the court.

Fans began filling the arena hours before tip-off, undeterred by the winter blast outside. For many, this was more than just a game—it was a celebration of a hometown hero. Derrick Rose, the Englewood native who became the youngest MVP in NBA history at age 22, was honored post-game as his jersey joined the likes of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen high above the court. "Feeling grateful knowing the weather conditions—knowing it’s a Chicago thing to even show up here, to fight through that and still go to an event, it’s huge," Rose said, his gratitude echoing the perseverance of the city he calls home.

The Bulls organization pulled out all the stops for the occasion. Before the ceremony, fans explored an immersive experience chronicling Rose’s journey from Englewood to NBA stardom, featuring student artwork and special edition merchandise. The atrium was transformed with a pop-up for "Rose’s Flower Shop," and the crowd’s anticipation was palpable. As one fan, Alexi AlHambra, put it: "Everybody here, are you kidding me? The parking lot is crazy out there, snow everywhere, but nobody cares—everybody’s here to see one of the greatest Chicago Bulls to ever play."

On the court, the Bulls were determined to match the energy of the crowd. Chicago entered the contest riding a three-game win streak, and from the opening tip, their shooters caught fire. Outside of Josh Giddey, every Bulls player who saw action nailed a three-pointer, turning the game into a showcase of long-range marksmanship. The Bulls finished the night hitting 21-of-45 from deep—a sizzling 46.7%—with eight players scoring in double figures. Coby White led the balanced attack with 22 points, and the home team’s offense hummed with confidence throughout.

The Celtics, meanwhile, were running on fumes. Less than 24 hours earlier, Boston had gutted out a double-overtime win in Brooklyn, and the fatigue was evident. Jaylen Brown, battling through a sore hamstring that had hampered him the night before, was undeterred. He poured in a game-high 33 points on 14-of-28 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing five assists. "Without Brown, there is no ball game. Without Brown, Boston may not have scored 80 points. Without Brown, there is no Celtics basketball," one analysis declared, underscoring his pivotal role.

Boston’s supporting cast tried to keep pace. Anfernee Simons, shaking off a recent shooting slump, contributed 21 points and gave the Celtics a spark off the bench. Derrick White, though, struggled for most of the night, making just 5-of-18 shots before coming alive late in the fourth quarter. Amari Williams, rewarded for his strong overtime minutes against the Nets, earned his first career start at center, finishing with two points, two rebounds, and a block in ten minutes. Injuries and illness took their toll as well: Neemias Queta was sick, Luka Garza twisted his ankle and was limited to 14 minutes, and Williams was thrust into a bigger role than usual.

The Celtics led by as many as eight points in the first half, but the Bulls’ relentless shooting swung the momentum in the third quarter. As the final period ticked down, both teams went ice-cold, trading missed shots and defensive stops. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. With just seconds remaining, Jalen Smith’s missed put-back dunk gave Boston new life. Jaylen Brown seized the moment, racing coast-to-coast for a game-tying layup with 14 seconds left, knotting the score at 111 and setting up a dramatic finish.

What happened next was pure basketball theater. With the game on the line, the Bulls worked the ball around, looking for any daylight against Boston’s defense. A miscommunication on the Celtics’ pick-and-roll coverage left Kevin Huerter wide open in the corner. The United Center held its collective breath as Huerter caught the pass and launched. Swish. The ball fell through the net with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock, sending the crowd into a frenzy and sealing Chicago’s fourth straight win. "A defensive lapse by Boston left Kevin Huerter wide-open in the corner. He drilled a game-winning triple," as one game report summarized. The Celtics could only watch as the Bulls celebrated both a legendary past and a resilient present.

For Boston, the loss was a tough pill to swallow but not without silver linings. The Celtics, now 10-14 in clutch games this season, return home for a crucial four-game homestand at TD Garden, starting with the Portland Trail Blazers. With the trade deadline looming on February 5 and All-Star Weekend approaching, head coach Joe Mazzulla will need to recalibrate his rotation, especially with the team’s big men banged up and minutes management becoming ever more important. Williams’ development, as noted by CelticsBlog’s Nate Moskowitz, may earn him more NBA reps moving forward.

Chicago, for its part, continues to ride a wave of momentum. The Bulls’ hot shooting and balanced scoring have fueled their recent surge, and the emotional lift from Rose’s jersey retirement could carry them even further. Fans and players alike drew inspiration from Rose’s journey—a story of resilience, local pride, and the enduring belief that anything is possible, no matter where you start. "He gave it his all, he put his all into the game and he literally showed the girls and boys that you can make it," said Diamond, an Englewood resident. "Englewood is not really a place anyone is bragging they’re from or to make it out of, and he literally did it."

As the final echoes of applause faded and the No. 1 banner found its permanent home, Chicagoans left the United Center warmed by more than just the glow of victory. They’d witnessed a night where history and hope collided—a reminder that in this city, legends are made, and dreams, like Derrick Rose’s, can soar all the way to the rafters.