LeBron James scored 29 points off the bench in his return after a month away from injury, but Zach LaVine responded with 32 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 118-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. on Sunday.
DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for the Bulls, who easily quashed James’ return with an impressive performance in their seventh win in nine games. LaVine made 11 of his first 14 shots to lead the offensive effort that ended the Lakers’ three-game winning streak, despite the return of the scoring leader in NBA history.
James missed 13 games with a sprained right foot, missing four weeks as the Lakers battle for a playoff spot. The team provided few updates on his recovery and his return came without much anticipation or notice, the decision being made only in the pregame warmup.
And for only the second time in his 20-year career and 1,958 NBA career games, James did not start.
CHARLOTTE 110
DALLAS 104
The Charlotte Hornets overcame a 40-point performance by Luka Doncic to win 110-104 Sunday and beat the Mavericks for the second time in less than three days in another costly blow for Dallas, which is seeking to qualify for the postseason.
Gordon Hayward had 22 points and PJ Washington added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who were eliminated from playoff contention.
The Mavericks entered the game tied with Oklahoma City for 10th place in the Western Conference, but remain out of the mini-tournament spots because the Thunder lead in the regular-season series.
Doncic committed his 16th technical foul of the season in the third quarter and will be suspended for Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers unless the foul is overturned by the league office.
Kyrie Irving had 18 points for Dallas (36-39).
After Friday’s loss to the Hornets Doncic was frustrated with the season. He said that he is not related to basketball, but did not elaborate.
