The Chicago Bulls stunned the Los Angeles Lakers with a 119-117 victory on Thursday night, just days after their upset win in LA. Despite the Lakers leading by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t hold on, thanks to a thrilling sequence capped by Josh Giddey’s buzzer-beater from half-court.
The Bulls made a remarkable comeback in the final seconds. With 9.8 seconds remaining, Patrick Williams hit a crucial three to cut the deficit to two. LeBron James then mishandled an inbounds pass, allowing Giddey to steal the ball and set up Coby White for another three-pointer, giving Chicago a one-point lead. Austin Reaves briefly reclaimed the lead for the Lakers with a layup, but with just 3.3 seconds left, Giddey drained his half-court shot to seal the victory.
Giddey’s performance throughout the game was nothing short of extraordinary. He finished with a triple-double—25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists—and made history as the first player to record a triple-double and a buzzer-beater against the Lakers. “Special moment to do it with these guys, this team,” Giddey said, reflecting on the thrilling win. His contribution has been pivotal to the Bulls’ recent success, as they’ve gone 5-1 in their last six games.
The Lakers, who had a 13-point lead midway through the fourth, were left reeling after yet another crushing loss. Despite their star power, including LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ inability to close out games has been a recurring issue. After the game, James acknowledged his role in the loss, taking responsibility for the costly turnover: “We put ourselves in a position to win…Horrible turnover by myself.”
The loss was the Lakers’ eighth in 12 games, further complicating their playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Bulls continue to surprise, with Giddey emerging as a rising star and leading Chicago to victories over strong opponents like the Lakers and Denver. As Giddey noted, the team’s aggressive style of play, including a focus on high-speed transitions, has been key to their recent run. The Bulls’ season turnaround is a testament to their resilience, having gone 11-5 since the trade deadline.
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