Shorthanded Lakers stun Blazers on the road
The Lakers, on the second night of a back-to-back and without their three star players, pulled off an incredible upset tonight. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, they took the win by a final score of 123-115.
Nick Smith Jr. Shines
Coming into the night, the Lakers knew they would need an unlikely hero to step up if they wanted to win. Nick Smith Jr. proved to be just the hero they needed.
Nick Smith Jr. (25 points, dagger 3’s late) was sick tonight, and threw up in the tunnel at halftime, but told us on @SpectrumSN that he wasn’t missing this one, that the team clearly needed him.
JJ Redick: “He was awesome. Really gutsy, really tough mentally.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 4, 2025
Getting minutes due to the absence of guards Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and Gabe Vincent, Smith Jr. went nuclear. He totaled 25 points and six assists, with 10 of those points coming in the 4th quarter.
Smith Jr. is currently on a two-way contract, but will certainly be in play for a full-time roster spot when the opportunity arises.
Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura Steady Offense
Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton looked like the LeBron James and Anthony Davis duo of old tonight. They combined for an impressive 57 points and 14 rebounds. Both were ultra-efficient as well, with Ayton shooting 14 for 19 on all twos and Hachimura shooting 10/15 from the field and 2/4 from three.
THE LAKERS GET REVENGE AGAINST THE BLAZERS WITHOUT LEBRON, LUKA, AND REAVES 🤯🤯🤯
4 STRAIGHT WINS. 2ND IN THE WEST. 😈 pic.twitter.com/oervNPo96G
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 4, 2025
Both players have had efficient starts to the season and could prove to be X-factors in big games, even when the Lakers are fully healthy.
Up Next
The Lakers will now take a four-game win streak into their Wednesday night matchup against the Spurs. Both Reaves and Doncic should play, marking it as one of the first true tests of the season. This Spurs team, led by Year-3 Wembanyama, is no joke.
Tip-off for the nationally televised game on ESPN is set for 7 PM.
