Short-handed Lakers snap Trail Blazers with fourth straight road win

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers despite missing key players LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Deandre Ayton led the Lakers with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, while Rui Hachimura added 28 points and Nick Smith Jr. contributed a breakout performance with 25 points and six assists off the bench. The Lakers shot an impressive 58.8% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range, outpacing Portland's 49.4% shooting but struggling 9-for-40 from beyond the arc. Portland's Deni Avdija scored a season-high 33 points, supported by Shaedon Sharpe's 23 points, but their offense could not overcome the Lakers' late surge, including a decisive 10-0 run in the final minutes. Despite Portland's strong defensive pressure and ability to force turnovers, the Lakers' balanced scoring and interior presence proved decisive. The win extended the Lakers' road winning streak to four games and improved their overall record to 6-2.