In a stunning twist of fate, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Chicago Bulls 119-117 in a nail-biting finish that left fans at the United Center in disbelief. The game, played on March 27, 2025, saw the Lakers squander a five-point lead with just 12 seconds remaining, culminating in a half-court buzzer-beater from Josh Giddey that sealed the victory for Chicago.
The Lakers, who had led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, appeared to be in control as the clock ticked down. However, a corner three-pointer from Patrick Williams with 9.8 seconds left ignited a frantic comeback for the Bulls. LeBron James, who had just returned from a two-week absence due to a groin injury, made a crucial turnover during the inbounds play. Giddey intercepted the pass and quickly found Coby White, who drained a three-pointer to give Chicago a 116-115 lead with just six seconds on the clock.
In a desperate attempt to regain the lead, Austin Reaves scored a layup to put the Lakers ahead 117-116 with only 3.3 seconds remaining. But Giddey, who had been a thorn in the Lakers' side all game, inbounded the ball and launched a half-court shot with James closely contesting. The ball swished through the net as time expired, sending the Bulls' bench into a frenzy and leaving the Lakers in shock.
After the game, James took responsibility for the critical turnover, stating, "We put ourselves in a position to win...Horrible turnover by myself. Bad miscommunication the play before that. AR still hit a big bucket to try to save us and you tip your hat if someone hits a game-winner from half court." Giddey finished the game with an impressive triple-double, posting 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Coby White led the Bulls with 26 points.
Reaves was the standout performer for the Lakers, scoring 30 points and providing three assists. LeBron, despite his turnover, contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and 12 assists, while Jaxson Hayes added a season-high 19 points and eight rebounds. The Lakers struggled with their shooting, finishing the game with a 37.5% field goal percentage compared to the Bulls' 52.2%.
The loss marked the second time in a week that the Lakers fell to a Bulls team that is currently under .500, raising questions about their consistency as the regular season winds down. The Lakers' record now stands at 44-29, placing them fourth in the Western Conference with only nine games remaining in the season.
Earlier in the game, the Lakers found themselves trailing by as many as ten points after the first quarter, with the Bulls capitalizing on Los Angeles' early missed shots. Chicago's fast-paced offense kept the Lakers on their heels, as they outscored LA 10-8 in the paint during the opening quarter.
However, the tide began to turn in the second quarter when Austin Reaves sparked a 9-2 run, helping the Lakers take a one-point lead into halftime with a score of 59-58. Gabe Vincent's tough fading triple was the highlight of that run, showcasing the resilience of the Lakers as they battled back.
In the third quarter, the Lakers built on their momentum, extending their lead to as much as 15 points. Luka Dončić, who struggled in the first half, found his rhythm and contributed significantly to the Lakers' offense, finishing the game with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. His performance, along with Reaves' scoring, gave the Lakers a glimmer of hope as they headed into the final quarter.
However, the fourth quarter proved to be a rollercoaster ride. The Bulls, fueled by their home crowd, began to chip away at the Lakers' lead. A series of three-pointers from Kevin Huerter and Coby White set the stage for a dramatic finish. With just 45 seconds left, the game was tied at 116-116, setting up the chaotic final moments.
As the buzzer sounded, the Lakers were left to ponder what could have been. This loss is likely to sting, especially given their aspirations for a deep playoff run. With their next matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies looming on Saturday, March 29, the Lakers will need to regroup and address the issues that have plagued them in critical moments.
As the dust settles on this heartbreaking defeat, one thing is clear: the Lakers' journey through the remainder of the season will be filled with challenges, and they must find a way to bounce back quickly to remain competitive in the playoff race.
