Trail Blazers Hand Lakers First Loss Despite Dončić's 41
Damian Lillard's 3-pointer in the final minute seals it, and the Portland Trail Blazers stay unbeaten
The Los Angeles Lakers led 38–32 after the first quarter and 73–68 at halftime. Portland won the third quarter 34–30, outscored the Lakers 34–26 in the fourth quarter, and Damian Lillard's 3-pointer in the final minute sealed it.
Lillard finished with 21 points for Portland. Ja Morant scored 23, Deni Avdija had 23 points and nine assists, and Jrue Holiday added 22.
Luka Dončić, two nights after scoring 52 at Utah, had 41 points and nine assists. Austin Reaves scored 26.
"I mean, giving up 41 free throws, you got to defend without fouling," Reaves said. "We did enough offensively to win the game. Defensively, we weren't good."
The Lakers had won their first three games. Portland is 3–0, and the Lakers are 3–1.
Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer in the final minute to seal a 136–129 win for the Portland Trail Blazers, who stayed unbeaten and handed the Los Angeles Lakers their first loss despite 41 points from Luka Dončić.
Lillard scored 21 points. Ja Morant scored 23, Deni Avdija had 23 points and nine assists, and Jrue Holiday added 22.
The Lakers led 38–32 after the first quarter and 73–68 at halftime. Portland won the third quarter 34–30 and outscored the Lakers 34–26 in the fourth.
Dončić, two nights after scoring 52 at Utah, had nine assists with his 41 points, and Austin Reaves scored 26.
"I mean, giving up 41 free throws, you got to defend without fouling," Reaves said. "We did enough offensively to win the game. Defensively, we weren't good."
Portland is 3–0, and the Lakers are 3–1.