It wasn’t flawless. The defense, well, could have been better. Yet, the Lakers’ 142-130 win over the Bulls on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena will be remembered, especially since it featured Luka Doncic’s first 50-point game with the team.
Doncic dazzled on the court, scoring 51 points with 17-of-31 shooting, including 9-of-14 from beyond the arc. He sealed his 50th and 51st points at the free-throw line, igniting chants of “MVP” from the crowd as the fourth quarter wound down.
Austin Reeves contributed significantly with 30 points, along with seven assists and five rebounds, showcasing an offensive performance that was truly on fire.
The Lakers posted an impressive 55.6 percent shooting from the floor, hitting 47.2 percent (17-of-36) from three-point range.
Deandre Ayton kept his strong form alive by notching a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, LeBron James made an impactful return after a three-game absence, adding 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Rui Hachimura also chipped in with 15 points, ensuring that every Lakers starter reached at least 15 points.
What it Means
With this latest victory, the Lakers found themselves back in third place in the Western Conference. They’re currently riding a four-game winning streak, the longest since late November, bringing their record to 41 wins and 25 losses.
Turning Point
Just over a minute into the second quarter, Ayton snagged an offensive rebound and assisted Hachimura for a free-throw line jumper that leveled the score at 62. This sparked a 7-0 run to finish the half for the Lakers, followed by a 5-0 run at the start of the third, pushing their lead to 72-62. They even held a cushion of 22 points during the third quarter. While the Bulls attempted to close the gap to nine points a few times, the Lakers maintained control for the remainder of the game.
MVP: Luka Doncic
Much of the momentum can be credited to Ayton’s early offensive contributions. However, it’s Doncic’s name that will stand out for his record-setting game as a Laker.
He also recorded 10 rebounds and nine assists, coming very close to a triple-double.
Game Status: 6
This also equaled Ayton’s top number of offensive rebounds against the Bulls this season, matching a performance against the Suns on December 14th. With Ayton’s strong presence, the Lakers dominated the Bulls in second-chance points, outscoring them 30-16.
To the Next
Looking ahead, the Lakers will complete a five-game homestand against the Nuggets on Saturday. They’re hopeful about having Marcus Smart back in the lineup after he missed the game on Thursday due to a hip contusion.
