Game ID: 22500960
Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers
Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 26 41 41 34 142CHI 26 36 36 32 130
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 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 3/01, returns tonight: 4 min (24% of 17)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 8 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 20 min since (69% of 30)
LAL availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backOUT Smith Jr. missed 9 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 4 min since (24% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 10 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 3/03, returns tonight: 10 min (97% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (75% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 2 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 11 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 26 min since (87% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 12 min since (71% of 17)
BACK Kleber back 3/08 after 3, 10 min since (97% of 10)
LAL availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 3 since 3/06, returns tonight: 33 min (98% of 34)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 12 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (75% of 17)
BACK Kleber back 3/08 after 3, 10 min since (97% of 10)
NEW Hayes 18 to 23 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Hayes missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 21 min (116% of 18)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 13 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK James back 3/12 after 3, 33 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 12 min since (72% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 14 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK James back 3/12 after 3, 37 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Hayes back 3/14 after 2, 21 min since (116% of 18)
LAL availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 15 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK James back 3/12 after 3, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Hayes back 3/14 after 2, 16 min since (90% of 18)
NEW Reaves 35 to 40 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 3 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 16 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK James back 3/12 after 3, 35 min since (104% of 34)
BACK Hayes back 3/14 after 2, 15 min since (85% of 18)
NEW Reaves 35 to 40 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/03 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 3 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 30 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 9 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 1 min since (8% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 33 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 4 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 31 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 10 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 1 min since (8% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 32 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/08 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 5 since 2/24, returns tonight: 20 min (96% of 21)
OUT Williams missed 4 since 2/26, returns tonight: 17 min (84% of 20)
OUT Collins missed 32 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 11 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 5 min since (47% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 33 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 7 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 33 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 12 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 20 min since (96% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 4 min since (35% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 32 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 34 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 13 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 27 min since (130% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 4 min since (35% of 12)
CHI availability going into 3/13 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 9 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 23 min (111% of 20)
OUT Collins missed 35 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 14 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
NEW Giddey 32 to 37 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/16 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 10 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 36 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 15 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (98% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 39 min over the last 4
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 11 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 4 since 3/10, returns tonight: 18 min (68% of 26)
OUT Collins missed 37 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 16 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (134% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (97% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 29 to 35 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 12 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 38 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 17 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 18 min since (68% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 23 min since (111% of 20)
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Leo. Miller 23 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Smith 21 to 27 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without James (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sexton at 25 and Buzelis at 23 a game. Without Simons (8 straight), Collins (34 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 118, Chicago 112.
3/05 @ DEN 113-120 — LAL notes
LAL lost 113-120. LAL took 12 more shots (87 to 75), but shot 52% to DEN's 52%, 13 of 31 from three, and got to the line 15 times to DEN's 31. LAL turned it over 10 times to DEN's 18. Dončić led with 27 (11 of 24, 3 of 10 from three); Hayes added 19, Reaves 16. Q3 was theirs, 32-29, the deficit cut from 10 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 91-81 against them. LaRavia's -16 in 10 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/06 vs IND 128-117 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-117. LAL shot 53% (45 of 85) to IND's 47%, 17 of 37 from three. LAL turned it over 12 times to IND's 7, and IND turned those into 10 steals. Dončić led with 44 (14 of 25, 7 of 14 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 19, Kennard 15. The hinge was Q1, 35-27: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Kennard was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/08 vs NYK 110-97 — LAL notes
LAL won 110-97. LAL shot 43% (35 of 81) to NYK's 43%, 15 of 44 from three, and went to the line 30 times to NYK's 21 — 25 points from the stripe to their 19. LAL turned it over 13 times to NYK's 18. Dončić led with 35 (11 of 25, 5 of 16 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 25, Hachimura 13. The hinge was Q3, 34-20: a lead of 5 became 19, and the lead reached 23. Smart was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
3/10 vs MIN 120-106 — LAL notes
LAL won 120-106. LAL shot 48% (45 of 93) to MIN's 46%, 11 of 38 from three. LAL turned it over 6 times to MIN's 11. Reaves led with 31 (10 of 20, 4 of 10 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Dončić added 31, Ayton 14. The hinge was Q3, 39-23: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/12 vs CHI 142-130 — LAL notes
LAL won 142-130. LAL shot 56% (55 of 99) to CHI's 54%, 17 of 36 from three. LAL turned it over 9 times to CHI's 15. Dončić led with 51 (17 of 31, 9 of 14 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Reaves added 30, Ayton 23. The hinge was Q2, 41-36: from level to 5 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Reaves was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/14 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Hayes (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Watson (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 30 free throws a game to the Lakers' 23 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 114 a night to Denver's 122. Call it the Lakers 120, Denver 117, Denver keeping it close.
3/16 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 27 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Houston's 28 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 16 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it the Lakers 116, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
3/18 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 27 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Sengun (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 37 and Reaves at 27 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Vanderbilt (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and the Lakers minus-2 and the arc, the Lakers at 34 percent from three to Houston's 27. Call it the Lakers 114, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.
3/19 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 35 free throws a game; Adebayo at 37 and Herro at 18 a game. Without Wiggins (6 straight), Jović (12 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Vanderbilt (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 35 free throws a game to the Lakers' 24 and the arc, the Lakers at 36 percent from three to Miami's 30. Call it Miami 120, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/03 vs OKC 108-116 — CHI notes
CHI lost 108-116. CHI shot 43% (39 of 90) to OKC's 43%, 17 of 49 from three. CHI turned it over 19 times to OKC's 9, and OKC turned those into 10 steals. Sexton led with 20 (6 of 14, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Yabusele added 18, Jones 15. Q2 was theirs, 32-29, the deficit cut from 4 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 87-76 against them. Jones's -18 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/05 @ PHX 105-103 — CHI notes
CHI won 105-103. CHI shot 48% (41 of 86) to PHX's 39%, 7 of 28 from three. Sexton led with 30 (11 of 19, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Jones added 21, Yabusele 16. The hinge was Q1, 24-20: from level to 4 ahead. Sexton was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
3/08 @ SAC 110-126 — CHI notes
CHI lost 110-126. CHI shot 42% (35 of 84) to SAC's 45%, 17 of 45 from three, and went to the line 34 times to SAC's 23 — 23 points from the stripe to their 21. CHI turned it over 14 times to SAC's 3. Sexton led with 28 (9 of 12, 7 of 9 from three); Buzelis added 20, Giddey 15. Q3 was theirs, 38-39, but the other 3 periods went 87-72 against them. Williams's -18 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/10 @ GSW 130-124 — CHI notes
CHI won 130-124 in 1 overtime. CHI shot 45% (50 of 112) to GSW's 42%, 15 of 47 from three. The glass went 64-49 for them. Buzelis led with 41 (16 of 28, 5 of 15 from three); Jones added 22, Giddey 21. The hinge was Q2, 31-21: CHI came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 6.
3/12 @ LAL 130-142 — CHI notes
CHI lost 130-142. CHI shot 54% (51 of 95) to LAL's 56%, 15 of 36 from three. CHI turned it over 15 times to LAL's 9, and LAL turned those into 9 steals. Giddey led with 27 (10 of 17, 6 of 9 from three); Buzelis added 22, Jones 18. Q1 was theirs, 26-26, but the other 3 periods went 116-104 against them. Buzelis's -25 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 118, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 30 free throws a game; Leonard at 32 and Mathurin at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Collins (6 straight), Bogdanović (7 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 26 and Buzelis at 24 a game. Without Simons (9 straight), Okoro (2 straight), Sexton (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Chicago's 35 and the line, where the Clippers take 30 free throws a game to Chicago's 22. Call it the Clippers 123, Chicago 114.
3/16 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Buzelis at 25 and Giddey at 21 a game. Without Simons (10 straight), Okoro (3 straight), Sexton (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 127, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jerome at 23 and Jackson at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Clayton Jr. (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-2 a night and Memphis minus-11. Call it Chicago 121, Memphis 117, Memphis keeping it close.
3/18 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 124, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Buzelis at 26 and Giddey at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Simons (11 straight), Okoro (4 straight), Sexton (4 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Barrett at 24 and Ingram at 22 a game. Without Murray-Boyles (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Toronto wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 110 a night to Chicago's 124 and the glass, where Chicago has been plus-4 a night and Toronto minus-3. Call it Toronto 117, Chicago 116, Chicago keeping it close.
3/19 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Buzelis at 26 and Giddey at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Simons (12 straight), Okoro (5 straight), Collins (38 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 22 and Harden at 22 a game. Without Allen (6 straight), Porter Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 116 a night to Chicago's 126 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 15 times a game to Cleveland's 11. Call it Cleveland 121, Chicago 118, Chicago keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAR A. Reaves
DA D. Ayton
DT D. Timme
DO Doncic
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Vanderbilt
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
LK L. Kennard
RH R. Hachimura
CHIJG J. Giddey
JS J. Smith
LM L. Miller
LO L. Olbrich
MB M. Buzelis
NR N. Richards
RD R. Dillingham
TJ T. Jones
YK Y. Kawamura
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
Luka Doncic scores 51, LeBron James returns from injuries to lead Lakers past Bulls 142-130
LOS ANGELES -- — Luka Doncic had 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, LeBron James added 18 points in his return after missing three games because of injuries and the Los Angeles Lakers used a strong third quarter to defeat the Chicago Bulls 142-130 on Thursday night.
Doncic scored 50 points for the first time as a Laker following the blockbuster trade that sent him from Dallas to Los Angeles in February 2025. It was Doncic’s 13th 40-point game in 82 appearances for Los Angeles, moving into ninth in franchise history.
Austin Reaves chipped in with 30 points, Deandre Ayton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season, and the Lakers’ four-game winning streak is their longest since running off seven in a row Nov. 14-30.
Los Angeles moved ahead of the idle Houston Rockets into third place in the Western Conference.
Josh Giddey scored 27 points and Matas Buzelis had 22 for the short-handed Bulls, who have alternated wins and losses over their past six games following 11 straight losses in February.
James started off sluggish after being sidelined by a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot, picking up his only points of the first half on a layup and free throw for a three-point play with 54 seconds remaining. The sequence sparked James, 41, and he made all five of his shots from the field in the third quarter to finish with 11 points in the period.
Giddey and Buzelis combined to go 10 for 20 from 3-point range, finding their shot in the second quarter and keeping the Bulls in striking distance for most of the game. Chicago ended up 15 for 36 from deep.