By Sunday 
Lakers Regain Momentum with Strong Performances from LeBron & Reaves
After a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Hornets following the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers got back on track Thursday night with a hard-fought 110-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite being shorthanded on the second night of a back-to-back, the Lakers leaned on LeBron James and Austin Reaves to secure the win.
Lakers Start Slow but Find Their Rhythm
The game didn’t begin in ideal fashion for L.A., as they missed their first six shots. However, Austin Reaves broke the dry spell with an early three-point play, showing a renewed sense of urgency after his ejection in the previous game. Jaxson Hayes added energy with a highlight-reel dunk, helping the Lakers take a 17-8 lead.
Off the bench, Trey Jemison provided an immediate spark, while Reaves continued his strong start, scoring 12 points in the first quarter. The Lakers’ defense also stepped up, allowing them to build a 28-15 lead heading into the second quarter.
LeBron Takes Over, But Turnovers Keep Portland in the Game
LeBron James shifted into attack mode in the second quarter, helping L.A. maintain control. However, Portland responded with a 9-0 run to keep the game competitive. Outside of James and Reaves, the Lakers struggled to generate consistent offense, but their star duo did enough to carry a 55-47 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw an issue that has plagued the Lakers all season—turnovers. Deni Avdija capitalized on L.A.’s mistakes, scoring 14 straight points to trim the lead to just two. Despite James’ efforts, the Lakers found themselves clinging to a narrow 78-77 lead heading into the final frame.
Clutch Play Seals the Win for L.A.
Dorian Finney-Smith opened the fourth quarter with a clutch three-pointer, setting the tone for a decisive Lakers run. James followed up with back-to-back triples, igniting an 8-0 surge.
Portland, however, refused to back down. The Trail Blazers’ defense forced more turnovers, keeping the game close in the final minutes. But when the Lakers needed it most, James and Reaves stepped up, delivering key plays on both ends of the court to lock in the victory.
James finished the night with a dominant 40-point performance, adding eight rebounds and four assists. Reaves was equally impressive, tallying 32 points, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. Despite 22 team turnovers, their star power was enough to carry L.A. to a much-needed win.
What’s Next for the Lakers?
The Lakers won’t have much time to rest as they prepare for another tough road matchup against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. With hopes of being back at full strength, L.A. will look to build on this momentum in one of the NBA’s toughest environments.