Game ID: 22401028
Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers
Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 31 31 27 26 115CHI 32 33 39 42 146
CHI @ LAL ScoutingCHI @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 8 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 4 since 3/08, returns tonight: 29 min (157% of 19)
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 25 min since (143% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 35 min over the last 3
NEW Knecht 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/17 · back-to-backOUT James missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 9 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 29 min since (157% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 26 min since (147% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Vincent 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 10 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 4 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 28 min since (152% of 19)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 11 min since (103% of 11)
NEW Vincent 21 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/20 · back-to-backOUT James missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 11 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 22 min (125% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 28 min (183% of 16)
OUT Len missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 17 min (165% of 10)
OUT Jemison III missed 5 since 3/13, returns tonight: 16 min (158% of 10)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 27 min since (145% of 19)
NEW Knecht 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 7 since 3/10, returns tonight: 31 min (89% of 35)
OUT Hachimura missed 12 since 2/28, returns tonight: 18 min (56% of 32)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 24 min since (130% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 15 min since (81% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 28 min since (183% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 17 min since (165% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Knecht 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 11 to 16 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restBACK James back 3/22 after 7, 31 min since (89% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 18 min since (56% of 32)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 25 min since (131% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/20 after 3, 22 min since (125% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (114% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Goodwin 17 to 27 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/26 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/22, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 35 min since (98% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 21 min since (65% of 32)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (114% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 8 min since (82% of 10)
NEW Goodwin 17 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/27 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/22, not on tonight's roster
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 23 min since (73% of 32)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 8 min since (82% of 10)
LAL availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 3/26, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 23 min since (73% of 32)
BACK Reddish back 3/20 after 3, 22 min since (125% of 18)
CHI availability going into 3/15 · 1 day's restOUT Ball missed 6 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 12 min (83% of 15)
BACK Vučević back 3/10 after 7, 23 min since (75% of 31)
BACK Huerter back 3/06 after 2, 30 min since (101% of 30)
BACK Williams back 3/10 after 9, 18 min since (72% of 25)
NEW Jones 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Phillips 14 to 21 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Giddey missed 2 since 3/13, out tonight
OUT Ball missed 7 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Vučević back 3/10 after 7, 25 min since (81% of 31)
BACK Huerter back 3/06 after 2, 31 min since (104% of 30)
BACK Williams back 3/10 after 9, 20 min since (78% of 25)
BACK Smith back 3/15 after 2, 12 min since (83% of 15)
NEW Jones 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Phillips 14 to 21 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Giddey missed 3 since 3/13, returns tonight: 31 min (101% of 30)
OUT Ball missed 8 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Vučević back 3/10 after 7, 27 min since (85% of 31)
BACK Williams back 3/10 after 9, 20 min since (79% of 25)
BACK Smith back 3/15 after 2, 12 min since (83% of 15)
NEW Jones 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Phillips 14 to 20 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/20 · back-to-backOUT Ball missed 9 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Vučević back 3/10 after 7, 27 min since (87% of 31)
BACK Giddey back 3/19 after 3, 31 min since (101% of 30)
BACK Williams back 3/10 after 9, 19 min since (77% of 25)
NEW Jones 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Phillips 14 to 20 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Ball missed 10 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 3 since 3/17, returns tonight: 4 min (25% of 15)
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/19, returns tonight: 3 min (26% of 12)
BACK Giddey back 3/19 after 3, 31 min since (101% of 30)
NEW Jones 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Phillips 14 to 22 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Ball missed 11 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 3/19 after 3, 32 min since (106% of 30)
BACK Smith back 3/15 after 2, 8 min since (54% of 15)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/22 after 2, 3 min since (26% of 12)
NEW Jones 25 to 33 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/27 · 2 days' restOUT Ball missed 12 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 3/19 after 3, 33 min since (110% of 30)
BACK Smith back 3/22 after 3, 10 min since (63% of 15)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 3/22 after 2, 3 min since (26% of 12)
NEW Jones 25 to 33 min over the last 3
NEW Buzelis 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Terry 14 to 19 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Ball missed 13 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 3/19 after 3, 35 min since (115% of 30)
BACK Smith back 3/22 after 3, 10 min since (63% of 15)
NEW Huerter 30 to 36 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Ball missed 14 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 2 since 3/27, returns tonight: 18 min (117% of 15)
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 3 since 3/24, returns tonight: 16 min (130% of 12)
NEW Huerter 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Terry 14 to 23 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Reaves at 29 and Dončić at 28 a game. Without James (7 straight), Hachimura (12 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; White at 28 and Huerter at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ball (10 straight), Smith (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 116, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/16 vs PHX 107-96 — LAL notes
LAL won 107-96. LAL shot 43% (35 of 81) to PHX's 39%, 14 of 39 from three, and went to the line 32 times to PHX's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 17. LAL turned it over 8 times to PHX's 14. The glass went 40-51 against them. Dončić led with 33 (8 of 20, 4 of 11 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Reaves added 28, Hayes 19. The hinge was Q1, 31-15: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/17 vs SAS 125-109 — LAL notes
LAL won 125-109. LAL shot 49% (44 of 90) to SAS's 47%, 19 of 48 from three, and went to the line 24 times to SAS's 14 — 18 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 9 times to SAS's 17. Reaves led with 30 (12 of 21, 5 of 13 from three); Dončić added 21, Goodwin 15. The hinge was Q1, 32-22: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Hayes was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
3/19 vs DEN 120-108 — LAL notes
LAL won 120-108. LAL shot 51% (42 of 83) to DEN's 47%, 16 of 38 from three, and went to the line 28 times to DEN's 21 — 20 points from the stripe to their 13. LAL turned it over 13 times to DEN's 18. Dončić led with 31 (10 of 21, 4 of 9 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 22, Finney-Smith 14. The hinge was Q1, 46-29: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 30. Finney-Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/20 vs MIL 89-118 — LAL notes
LAL lost 89-118. LAL shot 41% (34 of 82) to MIL's 48%, 11 of 32 from three, and got to the line 16 times to MIL's 34. LAL turned it over 19 times to MIL's 9, and MIL turned those into 12 steals. Knecht led with 17 (5 of 14, 3 of 6 from three); James added 17, Len 10. Q2 was theirs, 27-23, the deficit cut from 15 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 95-62 against them. Milton's -37 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 vs CHI 115-146 — LAL notes
LAL lost 115-146. LAL shot 48% (41 of 85) to CHI's 58%, 17 of 41 from three. LAL turned it over 21 times to CHI's 10, and CHI turned those into 17 steals. Dončić led with 34 (10 of 18, 8 of 13 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Reaves added 25, L. James 17. Q1 was theirs, 31-32, but the other 3 periods went 114-84 against them. L. James's -27 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/24 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Banchero at 32 and Wagner at 21 a game. Without Anthony (2 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 26 a game. One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 107 a night to the Lakers' 115. Call it Orlando 112, the Lakers 108, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/26 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mathurin at 19 and Siakam at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Isa. Jackson (65 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 24 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Reddish (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 113 a night to the Lakers' 120. Call it Indiana 118, the Lakers 112.
3/27 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 115, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; White at 32 and Giddey at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Ball (12 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 22 a game. Without Reddish (3 straight), Morris (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 15 times a game to Chicago's 11 and the defense, Chicago allowing 115 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it Chicago 122, the Lakers 112, Chicago by 10.
3/29 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bane at 20 and Jackson Jr. at 19 a game. Without Morant (6 straight), Jackson (5 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 124, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 31 and Reaves at 24 a game. Without Morris (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Memphis 119, the Lakers 114.
3/15 @ HOU 114-117 — CHI notes
CHI lost 114-117. CHI shot 46% (43 of 93) to HOU's 45%, 14 of 38 from three, and got to the line 16 times to HOU's 26. The glass went 36-54 against them. White led with 23 (7 of 21, 1 of 7 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Jones added 19, Vučević 15. Q1 was theirs, 29-22, but the other 3 periods went 95-85 against them. They led by as many as 11. Jones's -17 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/17 @ UTA 111-97 — CHI notes
CHI won 111-97. CHI shot 43% (42 of 97) to UTA's 41%, 14 of 45 from three, and got to the line 16 times to UTA's 22. CHI turned it over 9 times to UTA's 17. White led with 26 (9 of 19, 2 of 10 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Jones added 18, Huerter 17. The hinge was Q1, 31-22: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Huerter was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/19 @ PHX 121-127 — CHI notes
CHI lost 121-127. CHI shot 54% (49 of 90) to PHX's 49%, 15 of 38 from three, and got to the line just 12 times against 19 fouls committed. White led with 24 (9 of 18, 3 of 9 from three); Vučević added 24, Giddey 22. Q4 was theirs, 37-28, the deficit cut from 15 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 99-84 against them. White's -9 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 @ SAC 128-116 — CHI notes
CHI won 128-116. CHI shot 52% (45 of 86) to SAC's 48%, 15 of 35 from three. White led with 35 (10 of 18, 2 of 5 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Huerter added 25, Vučević 24. The hinge was Q3, 37-25: CHI came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 3. CHI trailed 55-64 at the half and won the second half 73-52. Vučević was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/22 @ LAL 146-115 — CHI notes
CHI won 146-115. CHI shot 58% (56 of 96) to LAL's 48%, 19 of 41 from three. CHI turned it over 10 times to LAL's 21. White led with 36 (12 of 17, 6 of 9 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Buzelis added 31, Giddey 15. The hinge was Q4, 42-26: a lead of 15 became 31, and the lead reached 34. White was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
3/24 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gordon at 25 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Jokić (4 straight), Strawther (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; White at 29 and Vučević at 17 a game. Without Ball (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Denver giving it away 17 times a game to Chicago's 11 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-2 a night and Chicago minus-2. Call it Denver 119, Chicago 118, Chicago keeping it close.
3/27 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 115, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; White at 32 and Giddey at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Ball (12 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 22 a game. Without Reddish (3 straight), Morris (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 15 times a game to Chicago's 11 and the defense, Chicago allowing 115 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it Chicago 122, the Lakers 112, Chicago by 10.
3/29 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 119, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; White at 32 and Giddey at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Ball (13 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 115, shooting 53 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Washington at 23 and Marshall at 21 a game. Without Washington (2 straight), Lively II (34 straight), Gafford (20 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 43 percent from three to Dallas's 38 and the line, where Dallas takes 26 free throws a game to Chicago's 21. Call it Chicago 120, Dallas 117, Dallas keeping it close.
3/31 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 47 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Dort at 14 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Wiggins (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 117, shooting 51 percent and 44 from three, 24 free throws a game; White at 32 and Giddey at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Ball (14 straight), Smith (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 105 a night to Chicago's 117. Call it OKC 122, Chicago 113.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAL A. Len
AR A. Reaves
BJ B. James
DF D. Finney-Smith
DK D. Knecht
DO Doncic
GV G. Vincent
JG J. Goodwin
JH J. Hayes
JV J. Vanderbilt
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
MM M. Morris
RH R. Hachimura
SM S. Milton
CHICW C. White
DT D. Terry
JC J. Carter
JG J. Giddey
JP J. Phillips
JS J. Smith
KH K. Huerter
MB M. Buzelis
NV N. Vučević
PW P. Williams
TH T. Horton-Tucker
VU Vucevic
ZC Z. Collins
LAL/CHI the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
LeBron James' return from injury spoiled by Bulls' phenomenal effort in 146-115 win over Lakers
LOS ANGELES -- — Coby White scored 36 points, Josh Giddey flirted with a quadruple-double and the Chicago Bulls wrecked LeBron James ' return from injury with an impressive 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Luka Doncic scored 29 of his 34 points in the first half and hit eight 3-pointers, while James had 17 points after a seven-game absence .
Neither superstar could do a thing to slow the Bulls, who scorched Los Angeles' normally sturdy defense on the way to their seventh win in nine games. Chicago's 146 points were 12 more than the Lakers had allowed in any game this season.
Matas Buzelis scored 31 points for Chicago, and Giddey recorded 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds and eight steals. White was dominant while hitting six 3-pointers, and eight Bulls scored at least nine points on the fifth stop of a six-game road trip.
Austin Reaves scored 25 points for LA.
Rui Hachimura made his own return from a 12-game absence with a knee injury, making the Lakers' roster largely whole — but Los Angeles then played perhaps its worst defensive game.
Takeaways Bulls: One of their best performances of the season, particularly in their fifth road game in eight nights while playing without injured starter Tre Jones . Chicago is looking more like a postseason threat.
Lakers: An exhausting two weeks ended discouragingly. James missed two weeks with a strained left groin, and Los Angeles clearly needs time to get back to its pre-injury form.
Key moment Reaves and Doncic kept it close through halftime, but White scored 12 points while Chicago steadily pulled away with a 39-point third quarter.
Key stat Doncic scored at least 29 points for the ninth time in his last 11 games.
Up next On Monday, the Bulls finish their trip in Denver and the Lakers begin a four-game trip in Orlando.