Luka Doncic’s 41-point masterpiece not enough as Lakers fall to Trail Blazers
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Luka Doncic’s 41-point masterpiece not enough as Lakers fall to Trail Blazers
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives to the basket with the ball while being guarded by Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots the ball during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Image 3 shows Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers
Khobi Price
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2 min read
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Through the early parts of 2026-27, the Lakers had cobbled together enough strong defensive moments that allowed their league-best offense to carry them to three straight wins.
Those moments didn't come often enough against the Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, leading to the Lakers losing their first game of the season.
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Despite Luka Doncic picking up where he left offafter 52 points in Salt Lake Cityon Sunday, the Lakers didn't have the defensive support behind another brilliant offensive performance, falling to the Blazers 136-129 to drop to 3-1 on the season.
Luka Doncic reacts to a Lakers foul during the first half of the Lakers' 136-129 loss to the Trail Blazers on Oct. 27, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Getty Images
Doncic had 41 points on 12-for-22 shooting (6 of 15 on 3-pointers, 11 of 13 on free throws) to go with nine assists and five rebounds.
Austin Reaves was once again uber-efficient, recording 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting (4 of 8 on 3s), plus seven assists and four rebounds.
Deni Avdija drives to the basket while being guarded by Ziaire Williams (behind) during the first half of the Lakers' loss to the Trail Blazers. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman
But the Blazers, who entered Tuesday with the league's second-best offense, took advantage of the Lakers' struggles with containing the ball.
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The Blazers were led by Deni Avdija's 23 points, nine assists and four rebounds.
Ja Morant (23 points, four assists), Damian Lillard (21 points, four assists) and Jrue Holiday (22 points, four rebounds) also scored at least 20 points for the Blazers.
Luka Doncic, who scored 41 points, shoots a long jumper over Sidy Cissoko during the Lakers' loss to the Trail Blazers. NBAE via Getty Images
The Blazers scored on five straight possessions late in the fourth to prevent the Lakers from keeping pace.
The Lakers couldn't stop Portland from anywhere on the court: The Blazers shot 59% from the field and 50% on 3s.
The Blazers would've won by more if they made the easiest shots: They made just 63% of their free throws (26 of 41).
