Julian Phillips tries to claim a position in the rotation with a season-best performance

Phillips is stepping up at the right moment.

© Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

With the Chicago Bulls down another rotation piece, Patrick Williams, who’s out indefinitely due to a sore foot, head coach Billy Donovan turned to rookie forward Julian Phillips to help fill the gap. The Tennessee product made Donovan look like the most brilliant guy in the room as he delivered a stellar effort of 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, two rebounds, an assist, and one spectacular block in 23 minutes.

Immediate impact

The 35th overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-8 Phillips has not played much this season, seeing the floor in only 22 games, averaging a little over four minutes of action in each game. However, he played more than usual versus the Blazers and did not hesitate to immediately make his presence felt.

Phillips checked into the game at the 5:32 mark of the first and, 24 seconds later, emphatically blocked Malcolm Brogdon’s fastbreak layup with two hands.

BIG volleyball guy 😮‍💨@ju1ianphillips | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/K1HQyFpSsm

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 29, 2024

Donovan explained that Phillips earned his minutes on Monday largely because of his ability to soak up information—a skill he has shown from the first day of training camp.

“I think the thing I’ve been most impressed with from summer league to now has been his ability to pick things up very quickly. He has a very high IQ. He instinctively knows when to cut. He finds his way into plays. He's a very conscientious decision-maker. I don’t look at him as a high-mistake player,” Donovan said.

It’s a sentiment that Caruso has noticed, too.

“He’s trying to be a sponge, trying to learn. He’s doing a good job of taking everything in stride. He knows the game and does little stuff within the game to try to help us win,” Caruso shared.

Popular locker room guy

Although he’s not getting as much burn as other first-round picks, Phillips never fails to bring energy to the team—whether he’s on the floor or not. It’s a trait that has endeared him to third-year guard Ayo Dosunmu.

“The whole locker room loves him because when you have his energy, it becomes contagious,” Dosunmu said.

Phillips again displayed that energy in the second half, especially on a broken play at the halfway mark of the third. After a loose ball scramble, the ball ended up in Dalen Terry’s hands, who saw Phillips cutting the rim. Terry then lobbed the ball up to Phillips, who flushed the ball home.

JULIAN with the jam 🔥@ju1ianphillips | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/HT26XuwMpr

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 29, 2024

“He’s just a hard worker. He comes with a joy. Anytime you have someone like that, it’s always great to be around. He’s chill. He has a knack for getting better,” Dosunmu shared.

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