At a Glance
- Los Angeles Lakers win 129-118 over the Chicago Bulls
- Luka Doncic scores 46 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds
- Lakers improve to 3-1 on an eight-game road trip
The Los Angeles Lakers closed out a Monday night matchup with a 129-118 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Luka Doncic poured in 46 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds while LeBron James added 24 points, 20 of which came in the first half. The win pushes the Lakers to 3-1 on an eight-game road stretch.
Game Overview
The game began with a rapid Lakers surge that set the tone. A 25-6 run, sparked by a fast-break jam from LeBron James, pushed the score to 51-37 with 7:19 left in the first quarter. Chicago responded with a 7-0 burst to trim the deficit to 69-56 at halftime, but the Lakers maintained control throughout.
Key Performances
- Luka Doncic: 46 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds; 6-for-9 from the field in the third quarter and a 3-point play to keep the Lakers ahead.
- LeBron James: 24 points, 20 in the first half; 9-for-11 from the free-throw line.
- Rui Hachimura: 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting, including a deep 3-pointer.
- Coby White: 23 points for Chicago.
- Ayo Dosunmu: 20 points for Chicago.
- Nikola Vucevic: 18 points, 11 rebounds; two foul shots with 6:42 left in the third gave the Bulls a brief 81-80 lead.
- Josh Giddey: 19 points for Chicago.
Scoring Runs
The Lakers’ early advantage was built on a 25-6 run that carried over into the second quarter. Chicago’s 7-0 spurt in the second half of the first quarter narrowed the lead, but the Lakers answered with a 3-point play by Marcus Smart and a series of free-throw and deep 3-point shots that pushed the margin back to double digits.
Shooting Efficiency
| Team | Field-Goal % | 3-Point % | Free-Throw % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 56% (46-for-82) | 16-for-33 | 9-for-11 |
| Chicago | 18-for-49 from 3-point | 18-for-49 | 9-for-11 |
The Lakers’ 56% shooting from the field and 16-for-33 from beyond the arc were key to the win. Chicago’s 18-for-49 3-point shooting, while solid, was insufficient to overcome the Lakers’ balanced offense.
Season Context
The Lakers entered the game with the Bulls, who had swept them in a two-game series last season, including a 119-117 loss at the United Center when Josh Giddey hit a half-court buzzer-beater. Chicago was on a four-game winning streak and had won five of its last six games. The Lakers, meanwhile, had improved to 3-1 on an eight-game trip.
Takeaways
The victory demonstrates the Lakers’ resilience after a tough loss the previous season. Luka Doncic’s dominant performance, coupled with solid contributions from James and Hachimura, kept the team in front. Chicago’s 3-point proficiency was notable, but the Lakers’ overall shooting efficiency proved decisive.
