The Bulls will be down one of their top contributors from Wednesday's play-in victory over the Raptors in Toronto: DeMar DeRozan's daughter.
Diar DeRozan was a central figure in Chicago's 19-point comeback vs. Toronto, becoming something of a viral figure in the victory. She could be heard screaming every time the Raptors went to the free throw line on a night where they only shot 18 of 36 from the charity stripe (well below their season average of 78.4 percent).
Here are several clips of Diar contributing the only way she could from Wednesday's game:
Diar DeRozan deserved her own highlight reel tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nUMNKrGtVQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2023
MORE: DeMar DeRozan gives daughter Diar credit for Bulls' play-in win over Raptors
Did Diar have an effect on the Raptors' shooting, or was it just a coincidence? Her father — who had 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in his return to Scotiabank Arena — gave her all the credit:
You know, it’s crazy. My daughter called me the other day getting out of school and she just said, ‘Dad, can I come to the Toronto game? I remember going to all the Toronto games’ when she was a kid.
I almost said no because she in school back home. She kept asking. She was adamant about coming to support and I just said that you can miss one day of school and come to a game. I’m glad I did. I owe her money from school.
But Diar won't be at the Bulls' play-in game vs. the Heat on Friday, even after her contributions to Wednesday's victory.
MORE: Guide to watching Heat vs. Bulls Play-In Tournament game
Why isn't Diar DeRozan at Bulls-Heat play-in game?
The reason is simple. DeRozan said his daughter can't miss another day of school. Here's his explaining to reporters following Chicago's win on Wednesday: "She's gotta go back to school."
"I said you can miss one day of school and come to a game... I'm glad I did."
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2023
Diar DeRozan's free throw distraction came up clutch for the Bulls tonight 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Z1EZvORC10
Credit to DeRozan for prioritizing his daughter's education, even in a must-win game vs. the Heat. The winner of Friday's game will advance to take on the Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
