Bulls spoil LeBron’s return with 118-108 win over Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 19points off the bench in his return from a monthlong injury absence,but Zach LaVine scored 32 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a118-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for the Bulls, who easily overcameJames’ return with an impressive performance in their seventh winin nine games. LaVine hit 11 of his first 14 shots to lead anoffensive effort that snapped the Lakers’ three-game winning streakdespite the return of the NBA’s career scoring leader.

James sat out 13 games with right foot soreness, missing fourweeks during the Lakers’ run at a playoff berth. The team providedfew updates on his recovery, and his return came with littleadvance warning, the decision made only after a pregameworkout.

And for only the second time in his 20-year, 1,958-game NBAcareer, James wasn’t a starter. He came in as a reserve midwaythrough the first quarter, still doing his standard pregame chalktoss while receiving a standing ovation from Lakers fans.

Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley scored 18 points apiece, butAnthony Davis managed just 15 points and nine rebounds as theLakers (37-38) failed to get above .500 for the first time sinceJan. 9, 2022.

The Lakers still were without D’Angelo Russell, who missed hissecond straight game with a right hip injury. Los Angeles went 8-5in James’ absence, but his return will force an adjustment of thechemistry built by his teammates in his absence — and the Bullstook full advantage.

James got his first basket on a drive late in the first quarter,and he finished the first half with eight points. But Chicagolargely controlled play, streaking to a 20-point lead in the secondquarter. Los Angeles briefly got the lead down to single digitsdown the stretch, but got no closer.

The Bulls largely controlled Davis even after Nikola Vucevic wasejected in the second quarter with two quick technical fouls whenhe argued what appeared to be a good call against him.

Patrick Beverley had 10 points and five assists in his firstgame against the Lakers since they traded him last month. Beverleyhas been outspoken about his desire to hurt the Lakers’ playoffhopes during this home-and-home series between the teams, but Davisand the other Lakers smiled at his provocative talk.

When Beverley made a little hook shot with 1:12 left to boostChicago’s lead back to double digits, Beverley slapped the floorand made the dismissive “too small” gesture sometimes used by NBAplayers to taunt their opponents, in this case James.

TIP-INS

Bulls: DeRozan sat out Friday’s win in Portland with a strainedquadriceps ... Alex Caruso played against his former team throughfoot soreness. ... Javonte Green missed his second straight gamewith residual soreness in his return from right knee surgery. ...DeRozan will attempt to play in both back-to-back games in LosAngeles, coach Billy Donovan said.

Lakers: Russell has missed eight games with two injuries sincejoining the Lakers last month. He has played with James only twice.... Wenyen Gabriel scored two points on his 26th birthday.

UP NEXT

Bulls: At Clippers on Monday.

Lakers: At Chicago on Wednesday.