March 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center DeAndre Ayton (5) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) and center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Image Looking to move up the Western Conference standings, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to keep their momentum going with a visit from the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
The Lakers have won six of their last seven games and are currently undefeated in three home games after Tuesday’s 120-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles won its third straight game without LeBron James, who is recovering from a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have delivered plenty of firepower even without James. Doncic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the win over the Timberwolves, while Reaves also scored 31 points with eight assists.
“That (offensive) end was really good, but what was really fantastic was our defensive game plan, and they executed it,” Lakers coach JJ Reddick said after Los Angeles held Anthony Edwards to 2 of 15 from the floor and 1 of 10 from 3-point range.
DeAndre Ayton did his part with 14 points and 12 rebounds as Los Angeles took control, outscoring Minnesota 39-23 in the third quarter and breaking a 45-45 tie at halftime.
“It’s great for his teammates to see him play really well on both ends of the floor,” Redick said of Ayton. “It’s bigger for DA to have a performance like that against a really good team, one of the best teams in basketball.”
The Bulls have been able to gain a foothold late, winning three of their last five games after an 11-game losing streak, the third-longest losing streak in franchise history.
Chicago reorganized its roster at the trade deadline by releasing Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic. They added nine second-round picks and returning players Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons.
The Bulls are coming off a 130-124 road overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Matas Bouzelis scored a career-high 41 points, and Josh Gidey added 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds for his 10th triple-double of the season.
Jalen Smith tied the game against the Bulls with two of his 12 points on free throws with 1.4 seconds left in regulation. Buzelis scored five of Chicago’s 12 points in overtime.
“In the end, it all comes back to winning,” Buzelis told reporters after the game. “You can get 100 points (and) lose and it doesn’t mean anything. I’m glad we kept fighting until the end there…. That’s what happens when you keep your head up and everyone believes and everyone is on the same page.”
Collin Sexton missed the game with a leg injury, and Patrick Williams (ankle) has missed five of the last six games. Both are questionable against the Lakers. Simmons has missed the last eight games due to a hand injury and is not expected to play again.
Los Angeles won 129-118 in Chicago on Jan. 26 with Doncic scoring 46 points, the second-most in a game this season. The Lakers can sweep their two-game series against the Bulls after Chicago swept both games last season.
–Field level media
