Thu Nov 06 06:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Lakers Upset Trail Blazers Despite Key Players Out

PORTLAND, OR – In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers defied the odds, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 123-115 Monday night despite being without their three leading scorers from last season. Facing a 10.5-point underdog status after Luka Doncic (lower leg contusion) and Austin Reaves (groin soreness) were ruled out, joining LeBron James (sciatica) on the sidelines, the Lakers showcased surprising depth and determination.

Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura led the charge with a combined 57 points, but the true revelation was reserve guard Nick Smith Jr., who exploded for a career-high 25 points. Smith, who signed a two-way contract with the Lakers shortly before training camp, previously only scored nine points in 30 minutes of play this season.

“I told the guys before the game, ‘We have enough in this locker room to win this game,'” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “My belief level in this group that’s here in Portland right now and in uniform right now is as high as it’s been.”

The Lakers rallied from a nine-point third-quarter deficit, taking the lead late in the period thanks to Smith’s 17-point second-half surge. They extended their advantage to 14 points in the fourth quarter, securing the unexpected victory.

Ayton playfully credited forward Jake LaRavia, who had a standout 27-point performance last week, for starting the trend of unexpected scoring contributions. “You’ve got to sit there and blame dudes like Jake LaRavia,” Ayton joked. “He started all this…next man up mentality.”

The Lakers now have six different players who have scored at least 25 points in a game this season. According to ESPN Research, the only other Lakers team to achieve this feat in their first eight games was the legendary 1971-72 squad that went 69-13 and won the NBA championship.

For Smith, the night was a career highlight. “Just coming together as a group, getting a big win, especially with our best players out,” he said. “Just to have a win like this for the young guys and the other players to step up like this is big for us.”

Coach Redick emphasized the importance of a winning mindset. “You can’t win in the NBA without stepping on the floor and expecting to win,” he said. “I thought our guys had that from the start. Then that confidence, belief and truly connectivity in that second half was just awesome to watch.”

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