Quick Read
- Josh Giddey finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, falling just two rebounds shy of his 29th career triple-double.
- The performance was intended to surpass Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time triple-double list, but Giddey was pulled from the game late in the fourth quarter.
- The Bulls lost 142-130 to the Lakers, who were led by a 51-point outing from Luka Doncic.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey fell just two rebounds short of securing his 29th career triple-double on Thursday night, a milestone that would have officially moved him past Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time list. Despite a standout offensive display in the Bulls’ 142-130 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, Giddey’s pursuit of the legendary mark was halted when head coach Billy Donovan moved to pull his starters with over four minutes remaining in the contest.
Giddey’s Offensive Surge Against the Lakers
Giddey, the 23-year-old Melbourne native, entered the matchup fresh off an overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors where he equaled Jordan’s mark of 28 career triple-doubles. Under the high-profile spotlight of the Lakers’ home court, he maintained his aggressive form, recording 27 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. His shooting efficiency was a primary bright spot for the visitors, as he converted 10 of his 17 field goal attempts and hit 6 of 9 from three-point range.
The Shadow of Luka Doncic
The game ultimately belonged to Lakers star Luka Doncic, whose 51-point performance proved too much for an undermanned Chicago rotation. While Giddey managed to keep the Bulls competitive through the early fourth quarter, the Lakers’ 56% shooting from the field allowed them to pull away late. The matchup also featured a brief appearance from fellow Australian Lachlan Olbrich, who provided defensive minutes off the bench for Chicago.
Moving Forward for the Bulls
The loss leaves the Bulls at 27-38, continuing a difficult campaign as they sit six games out of the final play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference. With the team currently navigating a depleted roster—playing without starters Isaac Okoro, Collin Sexton, and Patrick Williams—the burden of production has fallen heavily on Giddey. Having already surpassed Scottie Pippen for the second-most triple-doubles in franchise history, Giddey remains just five triple-doubles behind three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons for the Australian career lead.
While Giddey fell short of the immediate milestone, his performance against the Lakers confirms his role as the primary offensive engine for a struggling Bulls squad that is increasingly relying on his playmaking to remain viable in the late-season standings.