By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | Jan 27, 2026 | Sports
The Lakers vs Chicago Bulls game on Monday night was never just about the standings.
Playing on the six-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing, the Los Angeles Lakers delivered a performance that felt like a Mamba Mentality manifesto. Led by Luka Dončić, who exploded for 46 points, the Lakers secured a 129–118 victory that silenced the United Center and honored a legend.
The Stats: A Night of Dominance
The Lakers vs Chicago Bulls box score tells a story of clinical efficiency. Dončić added 11 assists and 7 rebounds to his scoring tally, while LeBron James provided a veteran foundation with 24 points.
| Los Angeles Lakers | PTS | REB | AST | Chicago Bulls | PTS | REB | AST |
| Luka Dončić | 46 | 7 | 11 | Coby White | 23 | 5 | 6 |
| LeBron James | 24 | 5 | 3 | Ayo Dosunmu | 20 | 3 | 2 |
| Rui Hachimura | 23 | 2 | 1 | Josh Giddey | 19 | 4 | 6 |
| Marcus Smart | 12 | 2 | 1 | Nikola Vucevic | 18 | 11 | 5 |
History & Legacy: A Rivalry of Icons
This Lakers vs Chicago Bulls matchup carries the weight of NBA history. To understand this win, you have to look back at the moments that built these franchises:
- The 1991 Torch-Passing: The most iconic Lakers vs Chicago Bulls moment was the 1991 Finals. Chicago won 4–1, marking Michael Jordan’s first championship and the end of the Lakers’ Showtime era.
- The Six-Ring Standard: While many stars have passed through Chicago, only Scottie Pippen was by Jordan’s side for all six championships ($1991–1993, 1996–1998$).
- The 15-1 Legend: While the current squad is surging, the 2001 Lakers set the gold standard with a 15–1 playoff record, losing only one game in the Finals to Philadelphia.
Chicago’s Deadline Dilemma
Despite a gritty performance from Coby White, the Lakers vs Chicago Bulls result exposed a glaring closer gap in the Bulls’ roster. This dominance isn’t a fluke; we first saw this championship-level chemistry during the [Lakers vs Clippers: Luka’s 43]-point takeover earlier this season.
With the February 5th trade deadline approaching, Chicago’s front office must decide if this core can compete or if it’s time to pivot. Meanwhile, Dončić’s 46-point explosion was a massive relief, especially following the recent [Luka Dončić injury update] after his MRI scare.
The Verdict: Who is Truly Better?
The debate between these two giants never ends. The Lakers hold the edge in longevity with 17 NBA championships, while the Bulls represent the peak of perfection, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the Finals during the 90s.
Today, the Lakers vs Chicago Bulls rivalry is entering a new era. With Luka and LeBron at the helm, L.A. is chasing that 18th banner, while Chicago searches for a superstar to lead them back to the heights of the Jordan years.
Information Resources
Key Takeaways
- Mamba Anniversary: The Lakers played with visible intensity to honor Kobe Bryant, shooting 56% from the field.
- Luka’s Gravity: Dončić’s scoring forced the Bulls into a panic-driven defense, opening the floor for Rui Hachimura’s 23-point bench spark.
- Historical Context: This win avenges last year’s sweep by Chicago and moves the Lakers to 3-1 on their critical eight-game road trip.
FAQ
1. Did the Bulls ever beat the Lakers in the Finals?
Yes. The most famous meeting between these two occurred in the 1991 NBA Finals. This was a passing of the torch moment:
The Result: Chicago won the series 4–1.
The Significance: It was Michael Jordan’s first championship and the official end of the Lakers’ Showtime era led by Magic Johnson.
2. Who won all 6 rings with Jordan?
Only one teammate was by MJ’s side for the entire double three-peat ($1991, 1992, 1993$ and $1996, 1997, 1998$): Scottie Pippen. While players like Horace Grant (first 3) and Dennis Rodman (last 3) were crucial, Pippen was the only constant co-star for all six titles.
3. Did the Lakers go 16-1?
Technically, no. The 2001 Lakers (led by Shaq and Kobe) had arguably the greatest playoff run in history, but they went 15–1.
They swept the Western Conference ($11–0$) and only lost Game 1 of the Finals to Allen Iverson’s 76ers.
The 2017 Golden State Warriors are actually the team that went 16–1, because the first round had switched to a best-of-seven format by then.
4. Which team is better: Bulls or Lakers?
This is the ultimate sports debate, but here is the breakdown:
The Case for the Lakers: They are the Gold Standard of longevity. With 17 NBA Championships and stars spanning every decade (Mikan, West, Magic, Kareem, Kobe, LeBron, and now Luka), they are the most successful franchise in NBA history.
The Case for the Bulls: They represent the Peak of Perfection. During the 1990s, the Bulls went 6–0 in the Finals. They never needed a Game 7 to win a title, and the 1996 team ($72–10$) is often cited as the greatest single-season squad ever.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒇𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔
