Key Takeaways:
- Luka Doncic delivered 46 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-118 victory over the Chicago Bulls
- LeBron James contributed 24 points (20 of them in the first half) as Los Angeles improved to 3-1 during their ongoing eight-game road trip
- The Bulls’ recent momentum was halted after four consecutive wins, despite Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu scoring 23 and 20 points, respectively
Match Overview and Turning Points
Luka Doncic put on an outstanding performance at the United Center on Monday night, tallying 46 points, 11 assists, and collecting seven rebounds to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-118 triumph against the Chicago Bulls. After being swept by Chicago in last season’s meetings – which included an unforgettable 119-117 defeat courtesy of Josh Giddey’s half-court buzzer-beater – the Lakers exacted some payback as they moved to 3-1 on their eight-game road campaign.
Dialed in for the dub ✔️ pic.twitter.com/DO3MbMwoTB
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 27, 2026
LeBron James was highly effective in the early stages, accumulating 20 of his 24 points before half-time. Rui Hachimura provided further support with 23 points, shooting an impressive 9-for-11 from the field. The Lakers ignited a game-changing 25-6 run that spanned from late in the first quarter into the second, including a fast-break dunk by James to extend the lead to 51-37 with 7:19 left before the interval.
Key Statistical Contributions
Chicago saw its four-game winning streak snapped, despite notable efforts from Coby White (23 points) and Ayo Dosunmu (20 points). The Bulls featured six players reaching double digits in scoring, with Nikola Vucevic adding 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Josh Giddey posting 19 points.
The Bulls continued their recent perimeter shooting hot streak, converting 18 of 49 from beyond the arc and achieving at least 17 three-pointers for a fifth consecutive fixture.
Momentum Shifts and Decisive Runs
Los Angeles established a commanding advantage of up to 20 points; however, the Bulls responded, trimming the deficit to a single point at 81-80 after two free throws from Nikola Vucevic with 6:42 left in the third quarter. The Lakers quickly reasserted control: Marcus Smart responded with a three-point play, Luka Doncic added two free throws, and Hachimura struck from distance, re-establishing a nine-point lead at 89-80 with 4:38 remaining in the third. Doncic then hit a three-pointer and a free throw, helping Los Angeles go into the final period with a 104-89 lead. Notably, Doncic registered 20 points in the third quarter alone, shooting 6-for-9.
Shooting Efficiencies and Team Comparison
| Team | Field Goals | 3-Point Shooting | Leading Scorer | Top Rebounder | Top Assister |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 46-82 (56.1%) | 16-33 | Luka Doncic (46) | Luka Doncic (7), Jarred Vanderbilt (7) | Luka Doncic (11) |
| Chicago Bulls | 43-82 (52.4%) | 18-49 | Coby White (23) | Nikola Vucevic (11) | Josh Giddey (7) |
The Lakers finished the contest converting 56% of their attempts from the field (46-for-82), including a highly efficient 16-for-33 mark from long range. Conversely, Chicago’s high-volume three-point shooting kept them in contention, as they hit 18 of 49 from behind the arc.
At the half, the Lakers led 69-56, though the Bulls had closed the gap somewhat with a 7-0 sequence prior to the break. Doncic contributed 17 points and eight assists over the opening two quarters.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers will continue their road journey by facing the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Bulls are scheduled to travel to Indiana, where they will meet the Pacers, also on Wednesday night.
