The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 124–118 on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, improving to 8–2 on the season.
Luka Dončić led the way with 53 points, but Los Angeles needed contributions from several players to overcome a Portland team that controlled much of the first half and nearly completed a fourth-quarter comeback.
Austin Reaves delivered 25 points and made important plays down the stretch, while Walker Kessler provided a presence around the basket. For Portland, Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, Donovan Clingan, and Toumani Camara all had their moments in a competitive contest.
First Quarter: Portland’s Defense and Outside Shooting Set the Tone
Neither team started particularly well offensively, with missed shots and turnovers slowing the opening minutes.
Donovan Clingan made his presence felt immediately, blocking an Austin Reaves fadeaway jumper before helping Portland control the defensive glass. The Trail Blazers began finding their rhythm when Avdija connected with Camara for a dunk, followed by a Clingan three-pointer that gave Portland a 7–4 advantage.
Lillard followed with another three off an Avdija assist, pushing the lead to 10–4 and forcing the Lakers into an early timeout.
Kessler helped Los Angeles respond with an alley-oop finish, but the Lakers struggled to establish any consistency from the perimeter.
Portland continued getting good looks through its ball movement, with Avdija playing an important role in creating opportunities for his teammates.
The Lakers missed all 12 of their three-point attempts in the opening quarter, making it difficult to keep pace with Portland’s offense.
The Trail Blazers finished the first quarter ahead 29–20.
Second Quarter: Portland Builds Its Lead Before a Wild Finish
Portland continued applying pressure early in the second quarter.
Chris Youngblood knocked down a three-pointer following an Avdija steal, extending the lead to 34–20. Lillard then connected on a pull-up jumper as the Trail Blazers continued controlling the pace.
Los Angeles received some needed production from Kessler, who scored inside off passes from Ziaire Williams and Collin Sexton. Reaves also began finding opportunities in the lane, including a driving floater that cut the deficit to 40–30.
However, Portland kept answering.
Lillard drilled a deep three-pointer from approximately 30 feet, and Robert Williams III provided a strong presence around the basket. Williams finished an alley-oop from Avdija before throwing down another dunk off a Jrue Holiday assist.
Camara also knocked down a three-pointer as Portland stretched its advantage to 50–35.
The Lakers finally began making progress when Reaves found Jake LaRavia for a three-pointer, breaking Los Angeles’ long drought from beyond the arc.
Dončić helped bring the Lakers closer with his scoring, but Kessler also contributed to the late push. With 25 seconds remaining, Kessler found Sandro Mamukelashvili for a three-pointer that cut Portland’s lead to 60–50.
Then came the most memorable shot of the night.
After Kessler grabbed a defensive rebound with seven seconds remaining, Dončić launched a shot from approximately 62 feet as time expired.
The ball banked off the backboard and went in, stunning the crowd and cutting Portland’s halftime lead to 60–53.
The Trail Blazers had controlled most of the half, but the Lakers suddenly had some momentum.
Third Quarter: Lakers Turn Defense Into a Comeback
Los Angeles came out of halftime with noticeably more energy.
LaRavia helped get things started by finding Dončić for a jumper before grabbing an offensive rebound and assisting Kessler on a hook shot that cut Portland’s lead to 60–57.
Reaves also made an impact defensively, drawing an offensive foul on Avdija and later stealing the ball from him.
Portland briefly settled down through Clingan, who finished an alley-oop from Avdija and followed with a step-back three-pointer to restore an eight-point advantage at 65–57.
But the Lakers refused to let Portland regain control.
Los Angeles tightened its defense, forced turnovers, and began winning more of the second-chance opportunities. The Lakers’ improved effort on the glass gave them additional possessions, while Portland struggled to generate the same quality of looks it had enjoyed in the first half.
Dončić led the scoring charge, but the contributions from Kessler, LaRavia, and Reaves helped Los Angeles build momentum on both ends.
The Lakers eventually tied the game at 68–68 before continuing their run to take a 76–68 lead.
What had been a comfortable Portland advantage quickly disappeared.
Los Angeles outscored Portland 34–15 in the third quarter, with Dončić contributing 20 points in the period.
The Trail Blazers’ offense stalled as turnovers and missed shots allowed the Lakers to take control.
By the end of the quarter, Los Angeles had turned a seven-point halftime deficit into an 87–75 lead.
Fourth Quarter: Portland’s Comeback Falls Short
The Lakers carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, with Reaves opening the period by knocking down a jumper off a Kessler assist.
Los Angeles eventually extended its advantage to 16 points, putting Portland in danger of letting the game slip away completely.
But the Trail Blazers had another run in them.
Holiday began finding opportunities inside, while Avdija continued attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Clingan also contributed as a passer, finding Avdija for a cutting layup and an additional free throw.
Portland steadily worked its way back into the contest.
With 7:20 remaining, Lillard knocked down a three-pointer off another Avdija assist, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 95–89 and forcing Los Angeles to call timeout.
The Lakers responded by bringing Dončić back into the game, but Portland continued applying pressure.
Camara made an important contribution with a driving bank shot, and Holiday connected from beyond the arc to keep the Trail Blazers within striking distance.
Los Angeles managed to rebuild its advantage, with Dončić scoring inside and Reaves helping stabilize the offense.
Still, Portland wasn’t finished.
Camara drilled a three-pointer off a Lillard assist with 1:07 remaining, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 112–108.
The next sequence proved crucial.
Robert Williams III blocked a Dončić layup with 55 seconds remaining, but the Lakers retained possession. Dončić then found Kessler for an alley-oop dunk, restoring a six-point advantage.
Lillard responded by making two free throws to bring Portland within four at 114–110.
With 27 seconds remaining, Dončić knocked down a floater to extend the lead to six.
Then Reaves delivered one of the biggest defensive plays of the night.
He intercepted Clingan’s inbound pass and raced to the basket for a dunk, pushing the Lakers ahead 118–110 with 23 seconds remaining.
Camara answered with another three-pointer, but Reaves converted his free throws to keep Los Angeles in control.
Portland continued fighting until the final buzzer, but the Lakers held on for the 124–118 victory.
Lakers Get Contributions Beyond Dončić
Dončić finished with 53 points, five rebounds, and five assists, shooting 17-of-33 from the field.
Reaves added 25 points and played an important role in the closing minutes, particularly with his steal and dunk that helped protect the lead.
Kessler recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds, contributing inside throughout the game and connecting with teammates on several important possessions.
LaRavia also helped Los Angeles with his rebounding, passing, and timely outside shooting.
For Portland, Avdija finished with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double. His ability to create opportunities was especially important during the first half.
Lillard added 22 points, while Camara provided timely scoring during Portland’s fourth-quarter comeback. Clingan and Robert Williams III also made important contributions around the basket.
EST Final Thoughts
The Lakers deserve credit for finding a way to win after such a difficult opening half, but there are certainly areas they need to improve.
Los Angeles struggled badly from three-point range early, allowing Portland to establish control. The Lakers eventually found their rhythm, but falling behind by 16 points is something they cannot afford to make a habit of.
The third quarter was the difference. Los Angeles improved defensively, won more of the possession battles, and finally began converting its opportunities.
Portland also deserves credit for refusing to fold.
Avdija’s playmaking helped the Trail Blazers build their first-half lead, while Lillard, Holiday, and Camara made the fourth quarter much more competitive than the Lakers would have liked.
Dončić’s 53 points will understandably dominate the headlines, but Reaves’ late steal, Kessler’s finishing around the basket, and LaRavia’s supporting contributions all mattered.
The Lakers improve to 8–2, while Portland falls to 6–2.
Los Angeles got the victory, but the Trail Blazers made them earn every bit of it.
Final Score: Los Angeles Lakers 124, Portland Trail Blazers 118.
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