The Los Angeles Lakers’ 146-115 blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday raised many eyebrows around the fanbase. Multiple players, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, returned to the court for the game, but the Bulls were too strong.
After the game, Associated Press writer Josh Dubow revealed the Bulls’ 146 points were the most the Lakers allowed in a non-overtime home game since 1984.
The 146 points allowed by Lakers are tied for their most ever in a non-OT home game. They also allowed 146 to Nuggets on 11/6/1984 https://t.co/wmU7VOVbZl
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) March 23, 2025
On Nov. 6, 1984, the Denver Nuggets scored 146 points in a 16-point victory over the Lakers.
Forward Alex English led eight Nuggets players who scored in double digits with 28 points.
Calvin Natt added 27 and Fat Lever contributed 24 points. Magic Johnson responded with 19 points while James Worthy and Byron Scott contributed 18 units each.
The Lakers ended up that season with a 62-20 regular-season record under Pat Riley. The early loss to the Nuggets didn’t mean much down the stretch, as the Lakers took revenge on Denver in the Western Conference Finals (4-1). Los Angeles would go on to win the NBA championship after beating the Boston Celtics 4-2.
This loss to the Bulls could mean good news for the 17-time NBA champions if they end up going all the way to the championship.
JJ Redick wasn’t happy with the team’s lackluster defensive showing, but if they get things together again, especially on that side of the ball, the Lakers will enter the postseason as a serious threat to knock off the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.