Julian Phillips

As confirmed through a scoreboard that showed a combined 11 3-pointers and 82 points in the first quarter, November 11, 2024’s battle between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers was one solely built on bucket-getting. Through well-documented athleticism, length, and a perfectly-timed defensive rotation, Julian Phillips took it upon himself in attempting to change both the Cleveland Cavaliers’ shot, and the spectrum of the game. Keeping on high alert during the Cavaliers’ screen-and-roll, Chicago’s No. 35 pick disattaches himself from the far corner immediately upon recognition of Evan Mobley’s drive. Successful in outleaping Cleveland’s infinitely-gifted big, Phillips captures a memorable from-behind swat, kickstarting a runout bucket on the opposite end. Phillips, in providing a three-rebound, one-block contribution, used that play to tell the story of Chicago’s valiant effort, even in defeat against the then-unbeaten Cavaliers.