Overview
- Luka Dončić was ruled out with left groin soreness after an MRI that coach J.J. Redick said was good, and he is considered day-to-day.
- Deandre Ayton (knee) and Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) were downgraded to out before tipoff, with Austin Reaves and Adou Thiero also sidelined.
- The Trail Blazers won 132-116 behind 25 points from Shaedon Sharpe, while Marcus Smart led the Lakers with 25 before limping off in the fourth; LeBron James had 20-9-8 and Drew Timme scored 21.
- The defeat was Los Angeles’ fifth in six games, underscoring ongoing defensive issues and thin depth without their primary bigs and lead playmaker.
- The Lakers return home to face the Raptors on Sunday before starting an eight-game road trip, with short-term availability decisions looming.