Josh Giddey's Game-Winner Beats LeBron, Lakers as Collapse vs. Bulls Stuns NBA Fans

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey hit a game-winning half-court buzzer-beater to cement his team's 18-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers, who authored a stunning collapse on Friday evening.

The Lakers saw a 96-78 lead with 10:18 remaining fall to 111-110 with 46 seconds left. However, L.A. looked like it had the game in hand after Reaves hit a floater and then two free throws on the Lakers' next two possessions for a 115-110 edge with 13 seconds left.

Then all hell broke loose.

Patrick Williams hit a three to cut it to two. Giddey then stole a LeBron James in-bounds pass and found Coby White, who hit a three to give Chicago a 116-115 lead.

Reaves then responded with a layup with three seconds left, but then Giddey responded with the final dagger over James.

James had a rough closing stretch. The four-time NBA MVP left Williams open in the corner for three before committing the turnover to Giddey. Reaves then hit the potential game-winning bucket before Giddey made the game-winner.

Of course, James has been the hero many times over in a 22-year career that includes four NBA titles, 13 All-NBA First Team appearances and three Olympic gold medals. In fact, just one night earlier, the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 120-119 thanks to his buzzer-beating tip-in.

Friday was a tough one, though, and James took responsibility.

James finished with 17 points and 12 assists to complement Reaves (game-high 30 points) and Luka Dončić (25-point, 10-assist, 10-rebound triple-double). Giddey posted his own triple double-double (25 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists), while White scored a team-high 26 points.

Ultimately, fans and analysts were left stunned by the near-impossible finish.

The Lakers have lost four of their last five and eight of their past 12, and this defeat clearly hurts the most. They have to find a way to pick themselves off the mat, and their next opportunity to do so will be Saturday at the Memphis Grizzlies.

It's a big game for the 44-29 Lakers, who are in danger of falling out of the top six and into the play-in tournament bracket. The fifth-place Lakers are two-and-a-half games ahead of the 41-31 L.A. Clippers and Golden State Warriors, who are tied for sixth.