The return of LeBron James was supposed to be a spark. Instead, it turned into another disappointing night for the Los Angeles Lakers, who suffered a brutal 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Lakers Loss to Bulls. LeBron, after missing seven games with a strained left groin, was back. Rui Hachimura also returned after a long injury layoff. The full lineup was nearly intact. Expectations were high.
But as the final buzzer echoed through the arena, the Lakers walked off the court with more questions than answers. Lakers struggle as LeBron returns after injury absence now becomes the new narrative.
LeBron Returns, But the Lakers Fall Apart
There was a buzz in the arena before tipoff. LeBron James—the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, now in his 22nd season—was suiting up again after missing two weeks.
In his return, LeBron posted 17 points, but the rust was evident. Late in the first quarter, he attempted a long outlet pass that sailed well beyond his teammate’s reach—a rare miscue for the usually sharp floor general.
Despite LeBron’s presence, the Lakers were never truly in the game. They trailed early, and their defense—once considered a strength—was practically non-existent. Lakers Loss to Bulls.
The Bulls shot lights-out from the field, racking up threes, layups, and transition points at will. For L.A., this was their second straight loss, and another blow in a season defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
Lakers Struggle as LeBron Returns – What Went Wrong?
Head coach JJ Redick, now in his first season on the Lakers’ bench, didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Today’s defense was our worst in the past three months,” he admitted postgame.
Redick suggested that the return of key players may have created a false sense of security within the team. With LeBron and Hachimura back, some may have assumed success would come automatically.
It didn’t.
The Lakers allowed 146 points on their home court—a number far too high for any team with postseason aspirations.
Hachimura, playing in his first game back after missing 12 contests due to a knee injury, looked tentative. He finished with just five points in 18 minutes, later revealing his knee was still only 70-80%.
“Our defensive efforts were lacking today,” Hachimura said. “They got everything—threes, layups, fast breaks. We need to fix that.”
Lakers Struggle as LeBron Returns – Schedule Not Helping
Injuries have defined this Lakers season, but the schedule has been just as unforgiving.
The team is in the midst of playing 20 games over five weeks, a stretch that’s left them drained. This loss to Chicago followed a five-game homestand crammed into just seven days.
Even with LeBron back, the grind showed. Players looked a step slow, rotations were late, and the bench offered little support.
Before LeBron’s injury on March 8 against Boston, the Lakers had been riding an eight-game winning streak. After his absence, they dropped four straight road games, then briefly recovered with three home wins. But now, they’re back in a slump.
Redick acknowledged the team is still searching for consistency.
“These next 13 games are critical,” he said. “We need to restore our chemistry and find that rhythm we had before Boston.”
Lakers Struggle as LeBron Returns – Doncic, Reaves Left to Carry the Load
The struggles go beyond LeBron and Hachimura.
In Thursday’s matchup against Milwaukee, the Lakers were missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. On Saturday, both returned and combined for 59 points against the Bulls.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
When your two biggest contributors score that much, you’d expect a win—or at least a competitive game. But the lack of defensive cohesion and secondary scoring turned a solid offensive night from Doncic and Reaves into a meaningless stat line.
LeBron admitted that the team’s effort has remained solid, even during these rough patches.
“We’ve consistently played the right way under different circumstances. It’s impressive how we’ve stayed together through adversity.”
But in the NBA, effort only gets you so far. At some point, results matter. And right now, the results are troubling.
Lakers Struggle as LeBron Returns – Injury Concerns Linger
Perhaps the most worrying part of the night wasn’t the score—it was LeBron’s health.
When asked about his groin, the 40-year-old superstar didn’t offer much.
“It’s a day-by-day process,” he said. “I hope the flight to Orlando gives me more time to heal. That’s all I can focus on right now.”
LeBron’s numbers before the injury were impressive—25 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per game. But at this stage of his career, any lower body issue is a red flag.
If the Lakers want to make a real push in the playoffs, they need LeBron at full strength. And right now, he’s not there.
Lakers Struggle as LeBron Returns – What Comes Next?
The Lakers head to Orlando on Monday, beginning a tough four-game road trip. The schedule doesn’t ease up, and with just 13 games left in the regular season, the clock is ticking.
They are currently clinging to a play-in spot, far below where they expected to be after trading for Luka Doncic earlier this season. The pressure is mounting—not just on the players, but on Redick and the entire organization.
Redick remains optimistic but realistic.
“We’ve dealt with injuries all year. No excuses. But now it’s time to tighten things up. We still control our fate.”
That fate, however, becomes shakier with every blowout loss. Lakers Loss to Bulls.
Struggle as LeBron Returns – Can They Still Be a Threat?
This is the biggest question facing Lakers fans right now. Can this team still make a deep playoff run?
On paper, the talent is undeniable:
- LeBron James
- Luka Doncic
- Austin Reaves
- Rui Hachimura
- A seasoned bench
But on the court, it’s been a mixed bag.
At times, they look like a Western Conference contender. Other nights, like against the Bulls, they look completely lost.
The hope lies in the fact that they’ve already shown flashes of brilliance this season. If LeBron can stay healthy, if Hachimura finds his rhythm, and if the defense returns to form, they have the tools to go on a run.
But those are a lot of “ifs.” And with the season winding down, the Lakers are running out of time to put it all together.
Struggle as LeBron Returns After Injury
Saturday night was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it felt like another warning sign.
LeBron James is back, but the Lakers are still searching for answers. The road ahead is tough. The stakes are high. And the pressure is building.
For now, the hope is that LeBron’s return will lead to better results in the coming weeks. But if things don’t change soon, this could be another season of wasted potential in L.A.
