After a rocky December and early January stretch where they dropped 12 of 21 games, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to show signs of life-and Monday night’s 129-118 win over the Chicago Bulls might be their most encouraging performance in weeks. Now 3-1 on their Grammy road trip and sitting at 28-17 overall, the Lakers are gaining traction in the Western Conference playoff race, virtually tied with the fourth-place Houston Rockets.
This wasn’t a wire-to-wire domination, but it was a mature road win. The Lakers built a 20-point cushion late in the second quarter, watched it evaporate to just one midway through the third, and then responded with poise and firepower to re-establish control heading into the final frame. That kind of resilience-especially away from home-is exactly what you want to see from a team looking to climb the standings.
Offensively, the Lakers were locked in. They shot a scorching 56.1% from the field and 48.5% from deep, turning 15 Chicago turnovers into 23 points while committing just eight giveaways themselves.
That kind of efficiency is a recipe for success, even on a night where the defense had its ups and downs. The Bulls shot 52.4% and won the rebounding battle by five, but L.A. countered with 27 fast-break points and a +11 edge in free throw attempts.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a high-level one.
Let’s break down how the key players fared:
Luka Doncic: A+
This was Luka at his absolute best. He dropped 46 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.
He set the tone early with 17 first-half points, then completely took over in the third quarter with 20 more, turning a tight game into a double-digit lead. Add in 11 assists and seven rebounds, and it’s no wonder he was just named Western Conference Player of the Week.
Monday’s performance only added to his growing MVP case.
LeBron James: B+
LeBron came out aggressive, scoring 20 of his 24 points in the first half on 9-of-15 shooting. He eased off a bit in the second half but still finished with a solid line: 24 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. At this stage in his career, picking his spots is part of the game plan-and on this night, it worked.
Rui Hachimura: A
Hachimura continues to be a spark plug off the bench. He poured in 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three, in just 29 minutes.
He also added a steal, a block, and a few other contributions across the board. When Hachimura is scoring efficiently and playing within himself, he gives the Lakers’ second unit a serious scoring punch.
Marcus Smart: B
Smart played his role to a tee. He chipped in 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting and went 5-of-7 from the line. While the counting stats weren’t eye-popping-two rebounds, one assist, one steal-he gave the Lakers what they needed: steady, complementary offense and veteran presence on the perimeter.
Jaxson Hayes: B/B+
Hayes brought energy and athleticism in his 23 minutes, finishing with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, four rebounds, and two blocks. He even mixed in a bit of flair with a between-the-legs dunk in transition. Hayes is carving out a useful role as a rim-runner and shot-blocker, and performances like this help solidify his spot in the rotation.
Jake LaRavia: B
LaRavia’s stat line doesn’t scream star power, but it was quietly impactful. He scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting (2-of-4 from deep), grabbed five boards, dished four assists, and came away with three steals.
He also played solid perimeter defense, showing he can hold his own on both ends. That kind of all-around effort is exactly what the Lakers need from their role players.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B
Vanderbilt didn’t light up the scoreboard-just two points on 1-of-3 shooting-but his energy was felt. In just 17 minutes, he pulled down seven rebounds and added two assists. He’s the kind of player who makes winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score, and his hustle helped the Lakers maintain their edge.
Deandre Ayton: D
This was a quiet night for Ayton, and not in a good way. He scored just six points on 3-of-6 shooting, grabbed only two rebounds, and didn’t record a block in 22 minutes. For a player with his size and skill set, that level of production isn’t going to cut it-especially when the Lakers are looking for more physicality inside.
Gabe Vincent: D+
Vincent couldn’t find his rhythm offensively, going scoreless in 12 minutes on 0-of-2 shooting. He did manage three assists and a rebound, but overall, it was a forgettable outing. The Lakers will need more from him moving forward, particularly as they navigate the back half of this road trip.
This win doesn’t solve all of the Lakers’ issues, but it’s a step in the right direction. The offense looked fluid, the stars delivered, and the role players stepped up. With momentum building and the standings tightening, this stretch could be the springboard the Lakers have been looking for.