The Portland Trail Blazers jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never let the gas off, cruising to a 132-116 win over a Los Angeles Lakers squad missing its star playmaker, Luka Dončić. And while the Lakers made a few pushes to keep things interesting, Portland never looked rattled, riding a deep and balanced offensive effort to the finish line.
Shaedon Sharpe Shines Bright
Let’s start with the headliner: Shaedon Sharpe. The third-year guard put together one of those tantalizing performances that makes you wonder just how high his ceiling really is.
Sharpe dropped 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and added 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He was everywhere-finishing lobs in transition, knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, and even flashing some playmaking chops with a few slick dimes.
And then there was that near-highlight. Sharpe almost pulled off what would’ve been the lob of the year-he didn’t finish it, but the sheer audacity and athleticism of the attempt had fans buzzing.
It's the kind of play that doesn’t show up in the box score but tells you everything about a player's confidence and explosiveness. Nights like this are why the “future star” conversation around Sharpe refuses to die down.
Jerami Grant’s Quiet Efficiency
Coming off the bench, Jerami Grant made the most of his 22 minutes, putting up 22 points and hitting 3 of his 4 shots from deep. He looked comfortable and efficient, picking his spots and playing within the flow of the offense. Grant’s ability to provide instant offense without needing a high usage rate continues to be one of Portland’s most valuable assets-especially in games where the rotation is stretched thin.
Depth on Display
With Deni Avdija sidelined again due to a back injury-he was spotted on the bench in an elevated chair-Portland needed a full team effort. And that’s exactly what they got.
Eight different players scored at least 8 points, a testament to how evenly the scoring load was spread. The Blazers didn’t rely on a single hot hand; instead, they moved the ball, attacked mismatches, and made the Lakers pay for every defensive lapse.
Living at the Line
One of the biggest storylines of the night? Free throws.
Portland made a living at the stripe, especially in the first half, consistently getting downhill and forcing contact. Even without Avdija’s slashing presence, the Blazers found ways to draw fouls and cash in.
The Lakers, playing without a true rim protector and starting a frontcourt that topped out at 6’10”, struggled to contain dribble penetration and paid the price.
Clingan’s Range - A Work in Progress
Second-year big man Donovan Clingan continues to test the boundaries of his offensive game-literally. He launched seven three-point attempts in this one, connecting on just one.
You appreciate the confidence, and the willingness to stretch the floor is a positive sign for his long-term development. But for now, the results are mixed.
More importantly, those shots didn’t really force the Lakers to adjust. If your center is going to step out and let it fly, you want defenses to react-collapse, rotate, scramble.
That didn’t happen much here, and it’s something to monitor moving forward.
The Bottom Line
This was a professional win from a young Portland team still figuring out its identity. They saw an opportunity-facing a shorthanded Lakers squad-and took care of business from the opening tip.
Sharpe looked like a star in the making, Grant gave them a veteran scoring punch, and the rest of the roster filled in the gaps. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be.
The Blazers controlled the tempo, attacked the paint, and made sure this one never got too close for comfort.
Games like this don’t just pad the win column-they build confidence, chemistry, and belief. And for a team still learning how to win together, that’s every bit as important as the final score.