Bulls Defeat Lakers 146-115 Despite LeBron James' Return

LeBron James made his highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles Lakers after a seven-game absence, but the team suffered a lopsided 146-115 defeat to the Chicago Bulls. Coby White led the Bulls with 36 points, while rookie Matas Buzelis added 31, showcasing a potent Chicago offense that overwhelmed the Lakers' defense, which allowed a record number of points in a non-overtime home game. Despite James scoring 17 points and Luka Doncic contributing 34, the Lakers struggled defensively, marking their sixth loss in nine games. The loss raises concerns for the Lakers as they remain in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, with only three wins separating them from the 8th seed. The Bulls, improving to 31-40, demonstrated their potential as a postseason threat with this victory. Both teams are facing critical challenges as the playoff picture becomes clearer in the final stretch of the season.