The Los Angeles Lakers’ perfect 3-0 start, fueled by Luka Dončić’s high-scoring nights, Walker Kessler’s historic statistics, and Austin Reaves’ incredible selflessness, came to a screeching halt last night, falling 136-129 to the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.Com Arena. This wasn’t just any loss though. This was the night their inevitable defensive problems finally caught up to them, exposing a vulnerability that their early offensive fireworks couldn’t mask.
The Blazer Barrage That Broke ‘Em Down
For the first time this season, an opponent truly tested the Lakers’ defense to win a game, and trouble arrived in a big way. The Blazers, with their deep scoring talent, kept pace through the first three quarters before unleashing a devastating 3-point barrage in the final frame. Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija spearheaded that late charge, lifting Portland past the Lakers. Avdija and Ja Morant both dropped 23 points, Jrue Holiday added 22 off the bench, and Lillard finished the night with 21. These Portland ball handlers were cooking, scoring in every possible way: Avdija from all three levels, Morant slicing through the D, Holiday doing his off-ball savant thing, and Lillard just burying threes or drawing fouls in high pick-and-roll action. Adding salt to the wound, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan combined for a ridiculous 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t pull any punches postgame, saying, “We just got broken down a lot.” He pointed to a lack of “game plan discipline, [Know Your Personnel], personnel discipline,” admitting it wasn’t where it needed to be.
Kessler’s Accountability and the Defensive Alarm Bells
Walker Kessler, usually the Lakers’ defensive anchor, just couldn’t impact the game like he had in the previous three matchups. Why? Most of Portland’s actions were happening out on the perimeter, pulling him away from his usual rim-protecting territory. Even so, Kessler owned it, admitting he needs to be held accountable as the “linebacker” of the Lakers’ defense. “Personally, I’ve got to do a better job at pursuing the ball,” he said. “Being more aggressive to attack the ball. We kind of got it back a little bit in the second half … I’ve got to start that way, being more aggressive. But we’ll figure it out.” Redick acknowledged the “incredible shot-making game” from Portland, but his main takeaway was clear: “We have to be able to rely on our defense every night. And if we score 129 points at home, we should be able to get enough stops to win.”
This is the kind of night the team’s detractors have been predicting all offseason. They kept saying the Lakers would have to outscore their opponents every single night. For a few moments through those first three games, it looked like they might pull it off, but this loss to the Blazers just gave those offseason warnings a harsh dose of reality. Redick called these “good learning lessons,” but they better learn fast. They can’t rely on outscoring everyone in the league if they want to make any noise this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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