The Portland Trail Blazers head to Los Angeles with a real test waiting for them, and it starts with Luka Doncic and a Lakers team that has opened 3-0.
To get a read on where the Lakers stand, Los Angeles Lakers On SI publisher Ryan Ward pointed to how quickly the group has come together.
“The Lakers’ early success has been more of a team effort, in my opinion. Luka has been a big part of them being 3-0, especially coming off the 52-point eruption, but this team seems to be a well-oiled machine much faster than I anticipated, which is no easy task with nine new players.”
Doncic’s turnovers have been one of the few blemishes. He is averaging 7.0 per game heading into Tuesday’s matchup with Portland, and much of that damage came from his career-high 11 turnovers against the Clippers.
Even so, his influence has gone well beyond the giveaways. He is still affecting the game on both ends and appears to be settling in offensively.
It also seems the Lakers have moved through the offseason changeover without much disruption after LeBron let it be known he’d be signing elsewhere.
James’ exit did not come out of nowhere, since the direction of the franchise had already shifted after the Lakers traded for Doncic.
Now the new chapter is clearly underway, and early signs suggest it’s going in the right direction for the Lakers.
What stands out most is the chemistry. For a roster with so many new faces, that part has come together fast.
Ward said the group has fully embraced what JJ Redick is asking for, especially defensively. He pointed to Walker Kessler as a difference-maker and also noted the additions of Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams.
His view is that the roster does not have any ego issues and is operating with the kind of alignment that matters over the long haul. In his words, “There are no egos on the team, and everyone seems to be on the same page, which obviously bodes well for a successful 2026-27 campaign.”
Portland figures to be the stiffest challenge the Lakers have seen so far. The Blazers have a chance to be something special this season, with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant leading the way.
Depth is one clear strength for Portland, but the matchup may ultimately hinge on the boards. Rebounding has been a problem for Los Angeles, especially with how thin it is in the frontcourt behind Kessler.
The numbers underline the issue: the Lakers are last in the NBA at 37.0 rebounds per game, while the Blazers sit in the top five at 50.5. That gap could decide the night.
So this one may go one of two ways. The Lakers could survive a tight finish, with Doncic taking over late the way he did against the Jazz.
Or Portland could control the glass and hand the unbeaten Lakers their first reality check by attacking their biggest weakness.
In Other News...
Luka Doncic Has The Blazers Facing A Brutal Lakers Test
The Trail Blazers get a stiff measuring-stick night on national TV against Luka Doncic and the Lakers, and it comes at a time when Portland can point to some encouraging defensive numbers over a limited sample. Thats the kind of backdrop that can make a young team look sharper than expected, but it also has a way of getting stress-tested fast when one of the leagues most gifted offensive engines is on the other side.
Doncic arrives with the kind of recent scoring burst that demands a detailed plan, and Portland appears set on making him work for everything with a group effort on defense. The Blazers know one defender alone is unlikely to solve the problem, so the focus is on using multiple bodies to disrupt his rhythm and cut down the damage he can do. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Just Showed Why This Roster Could Be Tougher To Defend
The latest stretch around the league has offered a reminder of how quickly a roster can change the way opponents have to game plan. LaMelo Balls first home game with the Timberwolves still ended with a strong all-around impact despite early foul trouble, while Rudy Gobert has made clear his role has not shifted much even as Minnesotas mix around him has changed. Elsewhere, Luka Doncics 52-point outburst against Utah only underscored how hard it can be for defenses to survive when one star gets rolling.
For Portland, the more interesting takeaway is the way the Blazers are starting to spread that burden around. With multiple players scoring in double figures, they are showing more depth than a one-man attack and giving opponents more than one threat to account for on any given night. That kind of balance does not guarantee results every time, but it does make the Blazers look like a tougher team to take away when the game tightens up. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Just Added A New Win Tradition Players Will Want To Earn
The Trail Blazers have added a little extra theater to their postgame routine, and it comes with a pair of boxing gloves. Head coach Micah Nori introduced a new victory ritual called The Knockout Punch, a staff-selected award that goes to the player of the game after wins and is meant to recognize impact beyond the usual star turn.
Its a fitting touch for a team trying to build a stronger identity from night to night, because the honor can land on anyone who swings a result in Portlands favor. The first two players to take home the gloves were Damian Lillard and Toumani Camara, giving the tradition an immediate blend of established star power and the kind of all-around contribution coaches love to reward. [Read more 🡒]