The energy in the Moda Center was absolutely electric Saturday night, but for the Los Angeles Lakers, the trip to Portland turned into a nightmare. They lost. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Lakers 132-116. Honestly, it wasn't even as close as that 16-point gap suggests.
Without Luka Doncic on the floor, the Lakers looked like a completely different team. Lost. Out of sync. Luka is currently leading the league with 33.6 points per game, but a sore left groin kept him on the sidelines. You could feel his absence in every single possession.
The Shaedon Sharpe Show
Shaedon Sharpe was the best player on the court, period. He dropped 25 points and looked like he couldn't miss. Every time the Lakers tried to put together a little run, Sharpe was there to kill the momentum. Usually with a dunk that made the crowd go wild.
Portland is playing some high-level basketball right now. They’ve won seven of their last nine games. That’s a scary trend for the rest of the Western Conference. Jerami Grant and Caleb Love each chipped in 22 points, proving that this Blazers squad has depth that people aren't talking about enough.
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Lakers Injury Woes Pile Up
It's getting rough for J.J. Redick's squad.
Marcus Smart was actually having a great night. He had 25 points and was keeping the Lakers within striking distance. Then, midway through the fourth quarter, he limped off the court. He didn't come back. The team hasn't released the full extent of the injury yet, but seeing him struggle to get to the locker room was a gut punch for L.A. fans.
Let's look at the "available" list. Or rather, who wasn't there.
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- Luka Doncic: Out (Groin)
- Austin Reaves: Out (Calf)
- Adou Thiero: Out (Knee)
- Jaxson Hayes: Out (Hamstring)
LeBron James did what LeBron does. He finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. At 41 years old, he’s still playing at an elite level, but he can’t do it alone. Not against a young, hungry Portland team that is finally healthy.
The Drew Timme Surprise
One bright spot? Drew Timme. The rookie came off the bench and looked incredibly comfortable, finishing with 21 points. He was efficient, smart with his movement, and actually gave the Lakers some life in the second half. He’s showing he belongs in the rotation even when the big names return.
What Went Wrong for L.A.?
Rebounding. Plain and simple. The Lakers got bullied on the glass, losing the rebound battle 42-27. You can't give up that many second-chance opportunities and expect to win on the road.
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Turnovers were the other killer. L.A. gave up 21 points just off turnovers. That’s basically handing Portland free money. When you're already shorthanded, you have to play perfect basketball. The Lakers played "kinda" okay basketball, and in the NBA, "kinda" gets you blown out.
Where the Lakers Stand Now
With this loss, the Lakers fall to 24-16 for the season. They are still in a solid spot in the Western Conference, but the gap between the top tier and the play-in mess is shrinking. Portland improves to 21-22, inching closer to that .500 mark.
People keep waiting for the Lakers to "flip the switch." But with the injuries piling up, it’s fair to wonder if the switch is even connected to the wall right now. They need Luka back. They need Smart to be okay.
Next Steps for the Lakers:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Marcus Smart's status before the game against the Raptors.
- Fix the Interior Defense: They cannot continue to get out-rebounded by double digits; expect more minutes for Timme or Vanderbilt if Ayton remains sidelined.
- Luka's Return: The medical staff will likely be cautious, but the offense looks stagnant without his gravity pulling defenders away from the perimeter.
The Lakers have a quick turnaround with a game against the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena. They'll need to find some chemistry fast, or this mid-January slump could turn into a full-blown crisis.