Ayton, Hachimura, and Smith Shine as Short-Handed Lakers Down Blazers 123-115:

The Los Angeles Lakers, missing several key players, showcased their depth on Monday night with a hard-fought 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and rookie Nick Smith Jr. all recorded season-best scoring performances to lead the way. Ayton, facing his former team, dominated in the paint with 29 points on an efficient 14-of-19 shooting, while also pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking three shots. Hachimura added 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting, continuing his strong scoring form as one of the Lakers’ most reliable options. But the biggest surprise of the night came from rookie guard Nick Smith Jr., who erupted for a career-high 25 points off the bench. Smith, who hadn’t played in Sunday’s win over the Miami Heat, took full advantage of his opportunity. With stars Luka Doncic (leg contusion) and Austin Reaves (groin soreness) sidelined, the young guard stepped into the rotation and made an immediate impact. In just under 27 minutes of action, he hit 10 of 15 shots from the field and knocked down five of his six three-point attempts. Smith also dished out six assists — another season-best — and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Despite being without Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James — who continues to sit out with sciatica — the Lakers found a rhythm offensively, shooting a scorching 58.8% from the floor. They also connected on 9 of 23 attempts from beyond the arc. Jake LaRavia contributed 11 points off the bench, while Jaxson Hayes provided energy inside with key baskets during the Lakers’ second-half surge. The Trail Blazers were led by Deni Avdija, who scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points, while Jerami Grant chipped in 18 off the bench. Toumani Camara added 14 points and seven boards as Portland’s three-game winning streak came to an end. Despite shooting a solid 49.4% from the field, the Blazers struggled from long range, going just 9 of 40 (22.5%) from three-point territory. Portland appeared to take control early in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 12-4 run to grab a nine-point lead. But Los Angeles answered with a 19-4 surge, fueled by energy plays from Hayes and scoring bursts from Hachimura and Ayton, to retake the lead. Hayes’ tip-in made it 75-69 midway through the third, and his dunk later extended the margin to 84-77 before the Blazers trimmed it to 90-86 entering the fourth. With the game still in reach late, the Lakers delivered the knockout punch. Leading by four with just over three minutes remaining, Jake LaRavia’s layup sparked a decisive 10-0 run. Smith then drilled back-to-back threes in a 26-second span and found Ayton for an easy layup to push the lead to 14, putting the game out of reach. The victory marked the Lakers’ fourth straight win, an encouraging sign for a team battling injuries yet finding new contributors each night. If Monday’s performance is any indication, Los Angeles may have found a new spark in rookie Nick Smith Jr.

SPORT