Luka Doncic pours in 46 points with eight threes to lead the Lakers past Chicago.
Luka Doncic continues to redefine expectations in Los Angeles. On Monday night at the United Center, the Slovenian guard delivered another scoring masterclass, finishing with 46 points, eight three-pointers, seven rebounds, and 12 assists to power the Lakers to a 129–118 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The win snapped Chicago’s four-game unbeaten run and extended Doncic’s streak of 30-plus point performances to four straight games.
The performance also etched Doncic’s name deeper into Lakers history. He became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 2,000 points, accomplishing the feat in just 65 games since arriving from Dallas last February. He now leads the NBA scoring charts with an average of 33.8 points per game, underscoring his dominance in year one with the purple and gold.
In doing so, Doncic joined Kobe Bryant as the only Lakers to record at least 45 points, 10 assists, and five three-pointers in a single game — a rare statistical blend of volume scoring, playmaking, and perimeter shooting.
LeBron James added 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Rui Hachimura provided a spark off the bench with 23 points. The balanced contributions ensured the Lakers maintained control despite Chicago’s late pushes.
Head coach JJ Redick, who once shared the floor with Doncic, acknowledged the superstar’s brilliance while admitting his freewheeling style can be nerve-wracking from the sidelines.
“He’s an engine that’s fully on and he likes to create out there, and that’s part of what makes him a great player,” Redick said. “Because I played with him, I have a pretty good understanding of that — not to say it doesn’t test your patience at times. You have to be willing to live with some of the stuff he tries because more often than not you will get a great result.”
For the Lakers, the win was more than just another notch in the standings. It was a showcase of Doncic’s ability to carry the offense while still elevating those around him. With James steady as ever and Hachimura providing depth, Los Angeles looks increasingly dangerous as Doncic’s scoring streak rolls on.