In a game that will go down in NBA lore for its sheer madness, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heartbreaking 119-117 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, March 27, 2025. The Lakers, who had led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, found themselves on the wrong end of a stunning comeback that culminated in a jaw-dropping halfcourt buzzer-beater from Josh Giddey.
The final moments of the game were nothing short of chaotic. With just 12.6 seconds remaining, the Lakers were up by five points following two free throws by Austin Reaves. However, the Bulls quickly turned the tide. Patrick Williams hit a crucial corner three-pointer with 9.8 seconds left, narrowing L.A.'s lead to 115-113. The Lakers were supposed to inbound the ball and draw a foul, but disaster struck when LeBron James's inbounds pass was intercepted by Giddey.
Giddey, who had an impressive triple-double with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, found Coby White wide open for a three-pointer that put the Bulls ahead 116-115 with just 6.1 seconds left. "Horrible turnover by myself," James admitted after the game, acknowledging his critical mistake that led to the game's dramatic shift.
But the Lakers weren't done yet. With 3.3 seconds left on the clock, Austin Reaves drove to the basket and scored, putting L.A. back in the lead at 117-116. However, the Bulls had one last chance. Giddey quickly inbounded the ball to Williams, who returned it to him, allowing Giddey to launch a miraculous 47-foot shot as time expired. The ball swished through the net, leaving the United Center in stunned silence before erupting in cheers.
After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed his disbelief at the way the game slipped away. "It's a hell of a way to lose a basketball game," he said. The loss marked the Lakers' eighth defeat in their last 12 games, raising concerns about their performance as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
James, who had just returned from a two-week absence due to a groin injury, finished the game with 17 points, 12 assists, and four turnovers. He took responsibility for the late-game blunder, but Reaves also noted the miscommunication that led to the turnover. "I think the miscommunication might've been I was trying to hold [his defender] off instead of popping to the ball," Reaves said. "I take just as much responsibility as I'm sure he did. Hopefully, we'll talk about it and figure it out so next time that won't happen."
On the other side, Coby White led the Bulls with 26 points, showcasing his scoring prowess in the clutch. The Bulls' performance in the fourth quarter was remarkable, shooting 11-for-14 from beyond the arc, a statistic that Redick acknowledged was almost unbelievable. "Give up 44, no matter how many points you put up, it's not good ingredients for success," James commented, highlighting the defensive lapses that plagued the Lakers.
As the Lakers sit at 44-29 with only nine games left in the regular season, they remain in fourth place in the Western Conference. However, this latest loss feels particularly painful given their recent struggles. The team now looks to regroup as they prepare for their next matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
James remains optimistic about the team's future, emphasizing the importance of moving forward. "There's another game in two days, less than two days, that's how you do it," he said. "You can't go into a game on Saturday thinking about what happened on Thursday." As the Lakers aim to bounce back, fans are left hoping that the team can rediscover its winning form before the playoffs begin.
