Trail Blazers defeat Lakers 136-129 to start season 3-0
Portland beat Los Angeles 136-129, marking the Lakers' first loss and giving the Trail Blazers a perfect 3-0 start.
Portland secured a 136-129 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, improving the Trail Blazers to 3-0 on the season while handing the Lakers their first defeat. The game featured a high volume of three-point attempts, with both teams combining for 79 shots from beyond the arc, and a total of 71 free throws.
Four Portland players scored at least 20 points: Ja Morant (23), Damian Lillard (21), Deni Avdija (23) and Jrue Holiday, who contributed 22 off the bench. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 41 points and nine assists, and Austin Reaves added 26 points and seven assists.
Portland shot 59% overall and made 18 of 36 three-pointers, while the Lakers shot 56.3% and were similarly efficient from long range. The Trail Blazers entered the game with a 71.4% field-goal percentage in the first quarter, compared with the Lakers' 65%, and maintained a strong offensive rhythm throughout.
Depth proved decisive for Portland, which recorded 48 bench points, highlighted by Holiday's performance. Robert Williams III added 14 points, 10 rebounds and defensive presence in the paint.
"Pretty much every time he shoots, I think it's good," Ja Morant said of Lillard's shooting.
"I just lived for those opportunities, you know," Lillard added, noting his confidence despite a modest shooting night.