Bulls Dominate Lakers as Giddey Nears Quadruple-Double

LOS ANGELES, California — The Chicago Bulls showcased an explosive performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, securing a remarkable 146-115 victory at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2025. This inter-conference clash turned historic as the Bulls became the first team to post such a significant margin against the Lakers in their long-standing rivalry.

In an impressive display of teamwork, the Bulls had seven players scoring in double digits. Coby White led all scorers with 36 points, brilliantly shooting 12 of 17 from the field, including six three-pointers. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey, at just 22 years old, came close to notching the first quadruple-double of the century, finishing the night with 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds, and eight steals.

“We really moved the ball effectively and everyone contributed tonight,” Giddey said after the win. “It’s always a boost when we can play like this, especially on the road.”

Rookie Matas Buzelis also had a standout performance with a career-high 31 points. Other contributions came from Kevin Huerter and Patrick Williams, who both added 14 points each, while Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Dalen Terry rounded out the scoring with 13 points, helping the Bulls shoot 58.3% from the field and an efficient 46.3% from beyond the arc.

The Lakers, despite LeBron James’ return from a two-week absence due to injury, struggled throughout the game. James finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Austin Reaves contributed 25 points, but the Lakers’ overall performance fell short as they committed 21 turnovers, allowing the Bulls to convert these into 27 points.

“We need to tighten up our defense and protect the ball better if we want to compete at this level,” James said post-game. “It’s a long season, and we have time to improve.”

The game started competitively, with the Lakers taking a brief 17-14 lead, led by Doncic and James. However, the Bulls responded quickly, reclaiming the lead to end the first quarter 32-31. Chicago then surged in the second quarter, pushing their advantage to 65-62 by halftime.

In the third quarter, the Bulls continued their offensive onslaught, scoring 39 points, shooting an astonishing 80% from three-point range. They closed out the period with a 104-89 lead, putting the game out of reach.

As the fourth quarter progressed, Chicago maintained control, even extending their lead to 30 points late in the game, leading to a relatively uneventful final stretch. This victory marks the Bulls’ seventh win in their last nine games, placing them firmly in contention for a playoff spot.

In contrast, the Lakers are now grappling with their second consecutive loss but remain in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. They currently sit in fourth place.

Both teams will look to bounce back on March 24, with the Bulls facing the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers traveling to Orlando to take on the Magic.