The Los Angeles Lakers were at full strength on Saturday night with the return of LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, but their comeback was spoiled by a dominant 146-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
The loss pushed the Lakers from the No. 3 seed to the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, with only 12 games remaining in the regular season. Although they are tied in the loss column with the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers hold a potential tiebreaker advantage by leading the Pacific Division.
LeBron Struggles in Return as Dončić Shines in Lakers’ Tough Loss
James, who had missed six games due to a groin strain, showed signs of rust in his return. He finished with 17 points on 16 shots, committed five turnovers, and missed three of his five free-throw attempts. His defensive impact was also limited, as he posted a game-worst plus-minus of -27 in 31 minutes. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ defensive struggles continued, as they allowed Chicago to score at will, resembling an All-Star Game atmosphere.
Luka Dončić (NBA)Despite the loss, Luka Dončić continued his outstanding form and provided a major bright spot for the Lakers. He started strong, scoring 17 points in the first quarter and finishing the first half with 29 points, including seven three-pointers. His ability to start games hot has been a trend, as he had 21 first-quarter points against Denver earlier in the week.
Dončić’s Scoring Surge Positions Lakers for a Strong Playoff Run
Dončić wrapped up the night with 34 points against Chicago, adding to his recent string of impressive performances. He had previously scored 31 points against Denver and dropped 45 points on Milwaukee. Over his last 10 games, he has averaged 31.1 points while shooting 43% from three-point range on 11 attempts per game. His consistent offensive dominance has made him a focal point for the Lakers.
Even though the loss to the Bulls was disappointing, Dončić’s emergence as the Lakers’ primary playmaker is a promising development. LeBron James appears to have embraced a secondary role, allowing Dončić to take control of the offense. As the playoffs approach, the Lakers will need to address their defensive issues, but with Dončić in top form, they still have strong championship aspirations.
