The Portland Trail Blazers triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 122-108 on March 25, 2024. Despite a stellar performance from Lakers’ guard Austin Reaves, who scored 41 points, the short-handed team struggled to keep pace with the Blazers, who secured their first road victory of the season.
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, while Jrue Holiday contributed 24 points and six assists. Jerami Grant added 22 points off the bench, showcasing the Blazers’ depth in scoring. Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan each chipped in with 16 points, solidifying the team’s offensive efforts.
The Lakers, already missing key players such as LeBron James due to sciatica and Luka Doncic because of a sprained finger and leg bruise, faced additional challenges. The absence of guards Marcus Smart (quadriceps contusion) and Gabe Vincent (sprained left ankle) left Reaves as the only experienced ball handler on the court. Overall, Los Angeles had seven players unavailable for this matchup.
Portland’s aggressive defense proved pivotal, forcing the Lakers into committing 25 turnovers. This relentless pressure enabled the Blazers to pull away in the second half, capitalizing on Los Angeles’ offensive struggles. The Lakers’ shooting from beyond the arc also hampered their performance, as they made only 7 of 27 attempts (25.9%). In contrast, Avdija nearly matched that total himself, going 5 of 8 from long range, while Holiday and Grant contributed with 4 of 7 and 3 of 7 from three-point territory, respectively.
The Trail Blazers will conclude their three-game road trip against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 27, 2024. Meanwhile, the Lakers are set to visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on the same day. As both teams look ahead, the game highlighted the challenges faced by the Lakers in the absence of their star players while showcasing the Trail Blazers’ ability to capitalize on their opponents’ vulnerabilities.
