LOS ANGELES — The Lakers kept finding ways to score. Finding enough stops proved more difficult.
Luka Doncic’s 41 points couldn’t prevent Los Angeles’ first loss of the season Tuesday night, dropping to 3-1 after a 136-129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena.
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Portland had four players score more than 20 points. Ja Morant and Deni Avdija finished with 23 apiece, Jrue Holiday added 22 off the bench and Damian Lillard scored 21, including a sidestep 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining that iced the game and push their undefeated record alive to 3-0.
Their balanced production, combined with fouls and defensive breakdowns, kept the Lakers from sustaining momentum.
“We got broken down a lot,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “The game plan discipline, KYP personnel discipline wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Austin Reaves contributed 26 points and seven assists, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 17 points for L.A.
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The Lakers committed 16 first-half fouls, giving the Trail Blazers 21 free-throw attempts before halftime. L.A. ended the night with 29 fouls that gave Portland 41 attempts (made 26) at the free throw line.
Flopping calls added to the interruptions, disrupting the Lakers’ rhythm as they tried to build on an efficient offensive start.
L.A. shot better than 56% from the field, but Portland shot 59% and made 18 of 36 3-point attempts.
“If we score 129 points at home, we should be able to get enough stops to win,” Redick said.
The Lakers opened by making five of their first six shots for a 14-7 lead. Doncic scored 16 first-quarter points, including two 3-pointers, helping L.A. take a 38-32 advantage.
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Portland stayed close by making 10 of 14 shots in the period, then opened the second quarter with a 26-16 run.
As the Lakers’ foul total climbed, the Trail Blazers repeatedly reached the line, preventing L.A. from establishing a sustained run.
Mamukelashvili provided a lift with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that sent the Lakers into halftime ahead 73-68. Doncic had 24 points, while Reaves added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Portland changed the momentum and erased any Lakers lead or momentum in the second half, outscoring the L.A. 68-56.
“We still have to be mindful of turnovers,” Reaves said. “But yeah, offense has been good.”
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Portland’s fourth-quarter zone presented another challenge. Redick said the Lakers generated open shots, but they couldn’t consistently follow those possessions with stops.
L.A. cut the deficit to 114-112 as defensive chants grew louder. Portland answered, with Lillard eventually delivering the decisive shot.
“We had a lot of blown assignments,” Reaves said. “It was everybody, it wasn’t just one person.”
Walker Kessler pointed to breakdowns against penetration and ball screens.
“I pride myself on being the leader on the defense and I didn’t perform tonight,” Kessler said.
The Lakers face the Clippers on Wednesday in the second game of a back-to-back.
“Tonight we lost, but we got another opportunity tomorrow night to go get a win,” Reaves said.
