Portland enters the matchup 4–2, led by Deni Avdija (22.7 ppg), Jerami Grant (20.7 ppg), and Jrue Holiday (18.2 ppg, 8.7 apg). The Blazers are a young, scrappy, defense-first group that ranks fifth in the NBA in defensive rating—a strength that could challenge a short-handed Lakers squad and force early miscues and havoc on the defensive end.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves jokes that LeBron James and Luka Doncic would tell him “I suck” after his game-winner vs. Timberwolves.

The Lakers, who open the season Tuesday vs. Golden State, are adjusting to being without LeBron James, which affects the starting rotation, defense and more.

The Lakers avoided an embarrassing late-game collapse and loss when Austin Reaves won Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves at the horn.

The Los Angeles Lakers could not find a way to overcome the Golden State Warriors, losing 109-119, despite a massive 43-point outing from Luka Doncic. For the Lakers, Doncic’s near triple-double debut,

NBA rumors suggest Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could command at least $30 million per year on his next contract.

After returning from the LA Lakers’ injury list last Friday, Luka Doncic immediately powered them to a 117-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Without a doubt, the Slovenian has been on another level this season,