Billy Donovan praises Ayo Dosunmu for his heads-up plays in overtime

"Guys have to step up and make plays. It can't just be DeMar. And he knows that."

© Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls’ darned luck with injuries has put other players in positions they normally wouldn’t have. One such player is third-year guard Ayo Dosunmu, who has risen to the challenge in the face of injuries suffered by key cogs like Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams. And with Coby White joining the injured list late in the game against the Indiana Pacers, Dosunmu once again stepped up and delivered some crucial plays in a thrilling overtime victory.

Got the green light

After DeMar DeRozan got hot in overtime, scoring eight straight points to help Chicago gain a slim 127-125 lead, Indiana’s defense keyed on him, denying him the ball. That opened up opportunities for others, and Dosunmu took full advantage.

With the shot clock winding down and the ball in Dosunmu’s hands, Deebo signaled to Ayo to go ahead and take the shot. And he did not disappoint, draining a tough layup to give the Bulls a 129-127 lead with 44 ticks remaining. It was a play that resonated with Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

“I give Ayo a lot of credit,” Donovan said.

“It was a two-point game and he made a really good slot drive downhill and made a layup. Alex made a great play to find Torrey along the baseline. Guys have to step up and make plays. It can't just be DeMar. And he knows that.”

Look at DeMar DeRozan at top of screen. He told Ayo Dosunmu to go. Dosunmu does just that....scoring off the drive. pic.twitter.com/CKh5b0gxvv

— ✶ Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) March 14, 2024

Motivated to bounce back

Dosunmu finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. The former Illinois star admitted he and the Bulls wanted to bounce back from the humiliating loss to Dallas the other night.

“We knew that (Monday's) Dallas (blowout loss) wasn't who we want to be and wasn't who we have been at all,” Dosunmu said.

“We wanted to put that game behind us. And this was a crucial game.”

Chicago Bulls defeat Indiana Pacers in overtime and hug it out. DeMar DeRozan had 46 points. pic.twitter.com/9SaiUGZkAK

— ✶ Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) March 14, 2024

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