Lakers suffer first loss of season at hands of Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 136-129, handing the Lakers their first loss of the season. The game was defined by high-scoring performances from both teams, particularly from Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers' efficient three-point shooting.
Why it matters
The result marks a significant early-season shift in the NBA standings and highlights the offensive potency of the Trail Blazers.
They are the top-scoring teams in the NBA and have dynamic backcourts to make it all work.
So, when the Lakers came to work with their superb guard duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and the Portland Trail Blazers came to work with their exciting guard combo of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, it figured to be a high-scoring affair Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
It lived up to that billing, with the game going back and forth in the decisive fourth quarter, finally being settled after Lillard hit a big-time three-pointer off a pass from Deni Avdija for a six-point lead with 42.8 seconds left that the Lakers couldn't overcome in a 136-129 loss .
The Trail Blazers tore into the Lakers defense, shooting 59% from the field and 50% (18 for 36) from three-point range.
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