Luka Doncic poured in 46 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 129-118, on Monday night at United Center.
The contest, played on January 26, 2026, came after severe weather in Dallas delayed the Lakers’ flight to Chicago. Despite the travel disruption, Los Angeles improved to 3-1 on its season-long eight-game road trip.
Defense was scarce early, but back-to-back transition baskets from LeBron James helped the visitors seize momentum. Doncic followed with 10 quick points, including two three-pointers, while Rui Hachimura sparked the bench with three straight field goals. The Lakers led 35-31 after one quarter.
Los Angeles tightened its defense in the second period, forcing multiple turnovers that led to open looks for Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart from beyond the arc. The Lakers took a 69-56 advantage into halftime and stretched the margin to 20 in the third before Chicago ended the quarter on a 7-0 run.
The Bulls opened the second half by hitting eight of their first 10 shots, trimming the deficit to single digits, but Doncic closed the third with another surge to restore a 104-89 cushion. Chicago threatened again in the fourth, cutting the gap to nine, yet consecutive Doncic triples secured the outcome. Jaxson Hayes punctuated the night with a through-the-legs dunk in transition.
Doncic finished with 46 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. Hachimura added consistent scoring off the bench, while Deandre Ayton and the Lakers’ frontcourt battled inside despite occasional defensive lapses.
Next up, the Lakers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Should this prove to be LeBron James’s final NBA season, the matchup would represent his last game in Cleveland.
Source: Lakers Nation
