The Chicago Bulls stunned the Los Angeles Lakers with a dominant 146-115 victory on Saturday, spoiling LeBron James’s return from a two-week absence due to a groin injury. James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes.
Luka Dončić, coming back after resting a sore ankle, led the Lakers with 34 points and eight three-pointers but faded in the second half. Austin Reaves added 25 points, while Rui Hachimura, returning from a knee injury, played limited minutes.
Lakers coach JJ Redick was blunt about their poor defense:
“That was the worst our defense has looked maybe all year, certainly in the last three months.”
Chicago capitalized on 21 Lakers turnovers with standout performances from Coby White (36 points, six threes) and Josh Giddey (15 points, 10 rebounds, 17 assists, and eight steals). Rookie Matas Buzelis scored 31 points, helping the Bulls solidify their play-in tournament hopes.
Knicks, Bucks, and Pacers Earn Crucial Wins
The New York Knicks ended a two-game losing streak with a 122-103 win over the struggling Washington Wizards. Karl-Anthony Towns led with 31 points and 11 rebounds, supported by Mikal Bridges (27 points) and OG Anunoby (23 points).
In Sacramento, Giannis Antetokounmpo carried the Milwaukee Bucks past the Kings 114-108, scoring 22 of his 32 points in the third quarter. With Damian Lillard sidelined, Milwaukee overcame a 14-point deficit as Gary Trent Jr. scored 11 crucial fourth-quarter points.
The Indiana Pacers survived a late rally by Brooklyn, winning 108-103 for their fourth straight victory. Tyrese Haliburton returned from injury with 16 points and 12 assists, while Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner added 26 and 22 points, respectively. The win kept Indiana one game ahead of Milwaukee for fourth place in the East.
Hawks Overpower Short-Handed Warriors
In Atlanta, the Hawks secured a 124-115 win over the injury-hit Golden State Warriors. Trae Young led with 25 points and 10 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu added 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The Warriors, fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament, were without Stephen Curry, who missed the game with a bruised pelvis. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody scored 25 and 20 points, but Golden State struggled without their star.
The NBA playoff race is heating up, with teams battling for seeding as the regular season nears its end.