Luka Doncic Drops 46 As Lakers Outgun Bulls In Chicago

The Los Angeles Lakers put on an offensive clinic in Chicago on January 26, 2026, toppling the red-hot Bulls 129-118 in a game that had fans at the United Center buzzing from start to finish. In a contest loaded with star power and storylines, it was Luka Doncic who stole the show, dropping a staggering 46 points to go along with 11 assists and seven rebounds. The Lakers’ victory not only snapped Chicago’s winning streak but also offered a bit of payback after last year’s unforgettable buzzer-beater loss at the hands of Josh Giddey.

Let’s rewind for a second: the last time these two teams met, Giddey’s half-court heave at the horn stunned the Lakers, sealing a 119-117 win for Chicago. Fast-forward nearly a year, and the anticipation was palpable. Giddey, recently back from an 11-game absence due to a hamstring strain, was back in the Bulls’ rotation, eager to make his mark once again. He contributed a solid 19 points, six rebounds, and seven assists off the bench, showing flashes of the playmaking that made him last season’s hero.

But this night belonged to the Lakers—and especially to Doncic. The All-Star guard was simply unstoppable, shooting 15-for-25 from the field and a blistering 8-for-14 from three-point range. He orchestrated the Lakers’ offense with trademark flair, slicing through Chicago’s defense and finding open teammates all night. And when the Bulls threatened to rally late in the third quarter, Doncic poured in 20 points in the period alone, dousing any hopes of a comeback.

LeBron James, ever the steadying force, chipped in 24 points—20 of them coming in a sizzling first half that helped Los Angeles build a commanding lead. James also added five rebounds and three assists, while Rui Hachimura provided a spark off the bench, tallying 23 points on a near-perfect 9-for-11 shooting. Hachimura’s energy was infectious, and his ability to stretch the floor gave the Lakers a crucial edge as the Bulls tried to claw their way back.

For Chicago, there was plenty of fight. Coby White led the way with 23 points, knocking down five of his ten three-point attempts and dishing out six assists. Ayo Dosunmu was electric off the bench, contributing 20 points, while Nikola Vucevic anchored the paint with 18 points and 11 boards. The Bulls, who had won four straight and five of their last six, kept their trademark hot hand from deep, finishing 18-for-49 from beyond the arc—marking the fifth consecutive game with at least 17 made threes.

Still, the Lakers’ firepower was just too much. Los Angeles shot a scorching 56% from the field (46-of-82) and 48.5% from three (16-of-33), outpacing a Bulls squad that simply couldn’t keep up on the defensive end. The Lakers’ ball movement was crisp, racking up 26 assists compared to Chicago’s 31, but it was their efficiency and ability to capitalize on key moments that made the difference.

The game’s pivotal stretch came late in the first half, when the Lakers used a 25-6 run to flip a tight contest into a double-digit advantage. James capped the surge with a thunderous fast-break dunk, pushing the score to 51-37 with just over seven minutes left before halftime. While Chicago responded with a 7-0 spurt to close the half, trimming the deficit to 69-56, the Lakers never truly lost control.

In the third quarter, the Bulls made their move. Vucevic’s two free throws with 6:42 left pulled Chicago within a single point, 81-80, igniting the home crowd. But Marcus Smart, who finished with 12 points, answered immediately with a three-point play. Doncic then took over, sinking a pair of free throws before Hachimura drilled a deep three. The Lakers’ lead ballooned once again, and by the end of the period, they were up 104-89.

There were plenty of subplots to follow, too. The Bulls were without their second-leading assist man, Tre Jones, sidelined with a hamstring strain. Jalen Smith, who’s been a revelation in the starting lineup over the past four games, added 13 points and seven rebounds, continuing his strong play. Meanwhile, the Lakers were missing Austin Reaves, their second-leading scorer, who remains out with a calf strain suffered on Christmas Day. Head coach JJ Redick indicated Reaves could return during the team’s current eight-game road trip, but not in Chicago. Jake LaRavia stepped into the starting lineup in Reaves’ absence, contributing eight points, five rebounds, and four assists while battling through a quad contusion that had him listed as questionable pregame. If LaRavia had needed to sit, Rui Hachimura was ready to slot back into the starting five—though his bench role certainly paid dividends in this one.

On the injury front, the Bulls were also without Zach Collins (right toe sprain) and Noa Essengue (shoulder surgery), thinning their frontcourt depth. For the Lakers, Adou Thiero remained out with an MCL sprain, but the rest of the rotation stepped up admirably.

Statistically, the Bulls had six players score in double figures, a testament to their balanced attack. But turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly. Los Angeles forced 15 Bulls turnovers while committing just six themselves, and their ability to convert those miscues into points was a major factor. The Lakers also dominated the paint, with Deandre Ayton providing timely buckets and Jaxson Hayes chipping in eight points, four rebounds, and two blocks off the bench.

As the final buzzer sounded, there was a sense that the Lakers had not only avenged last season’s heartbreak but also sent a message to the rest of the league. With Doncic firing on all cylinders, James playing at an elite level, and the supporting cast stepping up, Los Angeles improved to 3-1 on their ambitious eight-game road trip. Next up: a showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28. The Bulls, meanwhile, will regroup as they head to Indiana for their next test, hoping to rediscover the defensive intensity that fueled their recent surge.

For now, though, the story is all about the Lakers’ offensive fireworks and Luka Doncic’s masterclass. If this is a preview of what’s to come, NBA fans are in for a treat as the season heats up.