LeBron James delivered a stellar performance with 38 points, including a season-high seven 3-pointers, as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. Max Christie added a career-high 28 points, knocking down five threes, and Austin Reaves contributed across the board with 15 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds to help the Lakers overcome the absence of Anthony Davis, who sat out with a sprained left ankle.
The Lakers, now winners of six of their last eight games, jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Portland rally. Los Angeles led 99-86 with just over six minutes remaining before the Trail Blazers mounted a 14-4 run, fueled by Anfernee Simons, who scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.Â
James and Christie took over in the final minutes, combining for 11 points to close out the game. James capped his night with a dagger three in the final minute, sealing the Lakers’ fifth consecutive win over Portland.
Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each added 19 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to avoid a fourth loss in six games. Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes returned to the Lakers’ lineup after a 15-game absence, starting in Davis’ spot and contributing four points.
Christie continued his breakout stretch, scoring in double digits for the fourth time in five games and showcasing his 3-and-D prowess in his third season. Los Angeles also benefited from James’ hot hand beyond the arc, as he’s now 14-of-24 from deep over the past four games, a torrid stretch that began after his 40th birthday.
For the Lakers, this win underscored their resilience and depth as they look to maintain momentum in Davis’ absence. Let’s grade the Lakers players for their performances on Thursday night.Â
LeBron James: A+
Stats: 38 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 1 PF, 15-25 FG, 7-10 3PT, 1-2 FT, +4, 36 MIN
James had an outstanding game, scoring 38 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also contributed 8 assists and 3 rebounds, controlling the game in key moments, especially in the fourth quarter. His performance helped close out the game with a crucial three-pointer, securing the Lakers’ fifth consecutive win over Portland.
Max Christie: A
Stats: 28 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 9-16 FG, 5-9 3PT, 5-5 FT, +8, 32 MIN
Christie continued his impressive stretch, scoring a career-high 28 points. He shot 9-of-16 from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range, displaying his sharpshooting ability. His two-way performance, including 2 steals and 1 block, made him a key contributor in both offense and defense, helping the Lakers extend their lead late in the game.
Austin Reaves: B
Stats: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 5-15 FG, 2-9 3PT, 3-3 FT, +10, 36 MIN
Reaves played a versatile role, finishing with 15 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds. While his shooting wasn’t efficient (5-of-15 FG, 2-of-9 3PT), his playmaking and rebounding were crucial, helping facilitate the offense and contribute in multiple areas. His ability to keep the offense flowing was essential, especially with Davis sidelined.
Christian Koloko: B
Stats: 8 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 4-8 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 19 MIN
Koloko contributed a solid 8 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. His 3 assists and 1 steal reflected his all-around play, and he was efficient from the field (4-of-8 FG). While he didn’t stand out offensively, his rebounding and work in the paint helped the Lakers maintain control throughout the game.
Jaxson Hayes: C+
Stats: 4 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +5, 18 MIN
Hayes returned to the lineup and played 18 minutes as a starting replacement for Davis. He contributed 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block, showing his presence on the boards. However, his limited offensive output and inconsistent play in his first game back from injury kept his performance from standing out.
Dalton Knecht: C
Stats: 6 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 2-6 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, -3, 17 MIN
Knecht struggled with his shot, going 2-of-6 from the field and missing all 3 of his 3-point attempts. He did contribute 6 points, but his overall impact was limited by his inefficiency. His 1 turnover and 4 fouls further hindered his performance during his 17 minutes on the floor.
Rui Hachimura: C
Stats: 6 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 2-6 FG, 0-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, -3, 23 MIN
Hachimura added 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists but struggled with his shooting (2-of-6 FG, 0-of-4 3PT). His lack of scoring efficiency and a couple of turnovers during his 23 minutes on the floor kept him from making a significant impact, especially in the absence of Davis.
Shake Milton: C
Stats: 4 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 2-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 16 MIN
Milton played 16 minutes and scored 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting. He struggled from deep (0-of-3 3PT) and wasn’t able to contribute much beyond his scoring. Though his efforts were modest, he provided some depth during the game, contributing with 3 rebounds and no turnovers.
Dorian Finney-Smith: C
Stats: 3 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 1-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +11, 24 MIN
Finney-Smith contributed 3 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 minutes but struggled offensively, shooting just 1-of-6 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc. Despite his defensive effort, he wasn’t able to provide the scoring needed to make a larger impact on the game.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 19 MIN
Reddish had a quiet game, finishing with only 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. He shot 1-of-3 from the field and didn’t contribute much on offense or defense, as his impact was limited in his 19 minutes on the floor.
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