The Los Angeles Lakers' summer squad delivered a commanding performance on July 17, 2026, rolling past the Chicago Bulls 105-82 in NBA Summer League action. The game, played in a packed gymnasium in Las Vegas, showcased the Lakers' depth and the Bulls' youthful grit as both teams continued their evaluation of prospects ahead of the regular season.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Lakers controlled the tempo. Their starting unit jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first four minutes, fueled by aggressive transition play and sharpshooting from beyond the arc. Chicago responded with a brief 8-0 run midway through the first quarter, but Los Angeles answered with a 20-6 surge to close the period, leading 32-18. The Bulls never recovered, trailing by double digits for the remainder of the contest.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Dominance: Lakers' small-ball lineup forced five Bulls turnovers in the opening period, converting them into 14 fast-break points.
• Second Quarter Stretch: Chicago cut the deficit to 10 points with 3:30 left before halftime, but L.A. guard Dalen Terry (not the former Bull, but a Lakers undrafted rookie) drilled consecutive three-pointers to push the lead back to 18.
• Third Quarter Clincher: The Lakers opened the second half on a 15-4 run, effectively putting the game out of reach at 75-49 with 4:20 left in the third.

Standout Players

For the Lakers: Rookie forward Maxwell Lewis, a second-year pro, led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep. He also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, returning from injury, posted 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, showcasing the playmaking that made him a first-round pick in 2023.

For the Bulls: Forward Julian Phillips, last year's second-round selection, was the bright spot with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Undrafted guard Marcus Domask chipped in 12 points and 4 assists, but Chicago shot just 38% from the field and committed 17 turnovers.

Tactical Story

The Lakers' defensive switching gave the Bulls' offense fits. Chicago's ball movement stagnated, and they settled for contested mid-range jumpers rather than attacking the rim. Los Angeles, meanwhile, ran a crisp pick-and-roll offense that created open looks for shooters and easy dump-offs to rolling big men. The Lakers also dominated the glass, outrebounding Chicago 48-34, which limited second-chance opportunities for the Bulls.

Season & Tournament Impact

With this win, the Lakers improved to 2-1 in Summer League action, positioning themselves for a potential spot in the tournament's knockout rounds. The Bulls fell to 1-2, needing a strong performance in their final group game to advance. More importantly, both teams are evaluating which players deserve two-way contracts or training camp invites. For the Lakers, Lewis and Hood-Schifino strengthened their cases; for the Bulls, Phillips and Domask showed flashes but the team's overall inconsistency remains a concern.

The NBA Summer League continues to be a vital proving ground, and this matchup highlighted the gap between a well-drilled Lakers squad and a Bulls team still searching for an identity among its young core.