First rookie with multiple game-winning shots since 1993-94

AJ Griffin on Sunday produced 17 points, including the game-winning shot to beat the buzzer and send the Atlanta Hawks to a win in overtime over the Chicago Bulls at State Farm Arena.

The final sequence unfolded when DeMar DeRozan hit three free throws with 0.5 seconds left to put the Bulls up by one point. The Hawks immediately called a timeout to set up a final play but called another one when they didn’t get the right look they wanted.

With Jalen Johnson as the inbound passer, the second-year forward found a cutting Griffin into the paint. Griffin then caught the ball, turned in mid-air and flung the ball toward the basket to sink the shot and send the Hawks to the 123-122 win.

It was his second game-winning buzzer-beater this season.

“It is starting to happen consistently, I guess you can say,” Griffin said. “The second time, the same thing was going through my head. I’m shocked at just how fast it happens. I think Coach drew up a great play and, JJ, that was a great pass. I called I’m QB1 right after that.”

Griffin drained his first career game-winner on Nov. 19 versus Toronto.

The Hawks executed a perfect play in the final seconds of overtime of that contest to set up Griffin with the game-winning layup. Trae Young maneuvered past four Raptors players and then floated the ball up to Griffin and the rookie tossed the ball in off the glass to beat the horn.

He became the first rookie to have multiple game-winning buzzer-beaters in the same season since Toni Kukoc during the 1993-94 season. He is also the first Hawks player over the last 25 seasons to accomplish that feat.

“He has confidence in himself,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “He works hard. When he has a rhythm as he did tonight, you want to try to get that ball in his hands because he can shoot the ball and make plays, and tonight he did. That play was the biggest of the game tonight.”

The 16th pick often credits the coaching staff and his teammates for having the confidence in him to put him in those situations. He has performed well in stretches this season, and is emerging as a key player for the team in either the starting lineup or off the bench.

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Griffin is averaging 10 points, two rebounds, 1.1 steals and one assist on 33% shooting from 3-point range in 23 games. He ranks seventh in scoring among all first-year players and is fourth in 3-pointers and seventh in field goals made.

He is the second-youngest player in the NBA this year at 19 years, 109 days, and is emerging as a key rotation player in the early going. He is flourishing on the court through the first quarter of the season and looks poised to have a strong rookie campaign.