The Los Angeles Lakers are set to take on the Chicago Bulls for the second and final time of the 2024-25 season. The Lakers will seek their 45th win of the season, while the Bulls will seek their 33rd and continue their hot streak.
The Bulls have been one of the hottest teams lately, recording an 8-2 record in their last 10 games. One of those wins came against the Lakers on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is coming off a thriller in Indiana against the Pacers. L.A. escaped with a win thanks to a LeBron James tip-in to win the game, 120-119.
The Lakers will now play in the Windy City on the second night of a back-to-back. However, L.A. will be without starting forward Rui Hachimura for this game.
Hachimura is ruled out for this matchup due to his left knee injury. The 27-year-old missed 12 games due to his knee injury and returned on Saturday against Chicago.
His absence from Thursday's game comes as no surprise. The Lakers want to ensure he is as fresh as possible for the playoffs.
He has played in three games since, with his best game being on Wednesday against the Pacers.
Hachimura was spectacular and hit timely buckets late in Wednesday's Lakers' thrilling win over the Indiana Pacers. Hachimura finished the game with 14 points on 80 percent shooting from the field, four rebounds, and one assist in 28 minutes of action.
In the season, Hachimura is averaging 13.0 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.8 steals while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three in 31.6 minutes and 53 games.
Ball will continue to miss and is ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lakers. He is out due to the wrist injury he suffered in late February. Nonetheless, he is determined to come back before the end of the season.
On Wednesday, he participated in a full 5-on-5 scrimmage during the Bulls' practice session. According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network, Ball was "upbeat and optimistic" when speaking to reporters afterward.
In the season, Ball is averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 22.2 minutes per game across 35 outings (14 starts).
The Lakers and Bulls will tip off at the United Center at 8 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM.