The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers showed impressive resilience on Monday night, earning their fourth straight victory with a 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers behind a dominant performance from Deandre Ayton. Facing his former team, Ayton delivered 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks while Rui Hachimura added 28 points to help offset the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined after heavy workloads in Sunday’s win over Miami.
Despite trailing by double digits in the first half, the Lakers chipped away at Portland’s early lead, tightened up defensively, and leaned on timely shot-making from two-way guard Nick Smith Jr., whose pair of late threes capped his 25-point night and sealed the victory. Portland received 33 points from Deni Avdija but struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 9-of-40 from three as their three-game winning streak came to an end.
With only nine players available, the Lakers found a way to control the second half through disciplined defense, interior scoring, and steady execution in crunch time, ultimately outlasting a Blazers team that couldn’t convert from the perimeter. That is why we will break down the key moments, standout performances, and biggest insights from the win in our instant-analysis takeaways.
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1. Rui Hachimura’s Efficient Scoring Set The Tone
Rui Hachimura delivered one of his most polished offensive performances of his Lakers career, scoring 28 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-15 shooting. His aggression was immediate by attacking mismatches, finishing strong at the rim, and knocking down both of his three-point attempts.
What stood out most was how seamlessly he operated within the Lakers’ half-court flow, never forcing shots yet consistently providing reliable scoring. His perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line emphasized his composure and commitment to generating high-value attempts.
Defensively, Hachimura provided stability with four rebounds, a steal, and a block, giving the Lakers versatility in transition matchups and late-clock defensive switches. His +10 in 38 minutes wasn’t inflated; he was genuinely one of the biggest driving forces behind the victory.
Performances like this show that when Hachimura plays with confidence and decisiveness, he becomes a dependable offensive player capable of swinging games. This outing was a major reminder that the Lakers are at their best when he’s assertive on both ends.
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2. Deandre Ayton Dominated The Interior On Both Ends
Deandre Ayton was a physical force in the paint, finishing with 29 points on an efficient 14-of-19 shooting while securing 10 rebounds. Ayton didn’t settle; instead, he demanded the ball inside and capitalized on nearly every opportunity, showcasing exactly why the Lakers value him as their interior anchor.
Defensively, Ayton added three blocks, altering numerous other attempts even beyond the stat sheet. His presence forced the Blazers to adjust their shot selection, often steering drivers away from the rim and into tougher floaters or mid-range looks.
Ayton’s +8 reflected his overall two-way impact, and this game highlighted how dominant he can be when fully engaged. When he controls the paint with this level of force, the Lakers’ entire defensive and offensive identity stabilizes.
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3. Nick Smith Jr. Shines As The Bench Microwave
Nick Smith Jr. was a spark plug the Lakers needed, dropping 25 points in just 27 minutes off the bench. He shot 10-of-15 from the field and hit five of six from deep, consistently punishing Portland for giving him too much space.
His confidence as a scorer has skyrocketed, and his ability to shift momentum with quick scoring bursts is becoming a defining aspect of the Lakers’ second unit. His six assists also showed improved playmaking maturity, proving he’s more than a pure scorer.
On defense, Smith contributed with two steals and stayed locked in off the ball, helping the Lakers pressure Portland into turnovers. His +9 was emblematic of how crucial he was in maintaining the Lakers’ offensive rhythm when the starters rested.
This was the kind of performance that strengthens his case for an expanded role moving forward. If he can consistently pair efficient scoring with steady playmaking, the Lakers will have one of the most dangerous young guards in the league coming off the bench.
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4. Marcus Smart’s Mixed Night Highlighted His Strengths And Flaws
Marcus Smart delivered a mixed outing, 9 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, but struggled with his efficiency, shooting just 3-for-11 from the field and 1-for-5 from three. The positive side is that Smart once again brought his signature defensive intensity, constantly disrupting passing lanes and initiating fast-break opportunities.
His willingness to attack the paint and find teammates kept the offense organized, even when his shot wasn’t falling. However, the turnovers (five) and cold shooting stretches made his night more complicated.
Smart sometimes forced plays that didn’t need forcing, especially early in the shot clock. Nonetheless, his +10 still reflected his net positive impact, showing how defense, leadership, and playmaking can outweigh scoring inefficiency. Even on an off shooting night, Smart affects winning; this game reiterated that clearly.
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5. Lakers’ Offensive Efficiency Carried Them Despite Turnover Issues
The Lakers shot a blistering 58.8% from the field and 39.1% from deep, showcasing one of their cleanest offensive executions of the young season. They moved the ball well, tallied 29 assists, and created high-quality opportunities throughout the game.
The combination of interior dominance, strong bench production, and balanced scoring made their offense extremely difficult for Portland to contain. When the Lakers are this efficient, they have the firepower to outplay almost anyone.
But the 17 turnovers were a problem and at times allowed Portland to stay within striking distance. The Blazers scored 25 points off those giveaways, keeping pressure on Los Angeles to maintain offensive discipline.
Still, the Lakers’ shot-making and execution outweighed those miscues. Cleaning up turnovers will be essential against stronger opponents, but this game proved that the offensive system has taken a real step forward.
