The Los Angeles Lakers showed once again that depth and grit can win games when star power takes a night off. On the second night of a tough back-to-back, without Luka Dončić, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves in uniform, the Lakers still found a way to keep their winning streak alive — and it was rookie guard Nick Smith Jr. who seized the spotlight.
With all eyes expecting a letdown, Smith delivered a performance full of energy, confidence, and poise well beyond his years. Dropping 25 points on efficient shooting, the young guard ignited a shorthanded Lakers squad to a 110-101 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, turning what could have been a trap game into a statement of depth and resilience.
A Next-Man-Up Mentality
It was clear from tip-off that the Lakers weren’t going to make excuses. Head coach Darvin Ham emphasized tempo and toughness, and his team responded. Without their three primary playmakers — Luka, LeBron, and Reaves — the Lakers leaned heavily on ball movement, unselfishness, and defensive intensity. Players like Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, and Max Christie stepped into bigger roles, but it was Smith’s composure that set the tone.
The rookie attacked Portland’s defense with confidence, weaving through screens, pulling up from midrange, and finishing at the rim against bigger defenders. “Coach told me to just be me,” Smith said postgame. “We’re down some big pieces, but this team believes in everyone. Tonight was just about playing fearless basketball.”
Nick Smith Jr. Arrives
Drafted late in the first round, Smith has had to fight for minutes behind the Lakers’ veteran-heavy backcourt. But with the roster thinned out due to rest and injuries, he made the most of his opportunity — showing flashes of the dynamic scorer that scouts once projected him to be at Arkansas.
Smith hit clutch shots throughout the night, including a deep three in the fourth quarter that silenced a Blazers run and put the Lakers ahead for good. He finished with 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, earning the game ball from LeBron himself in the locker room afterward.
“He’s got that dog in him,” LeBron said in a postgame interview via video call. “This league rewards confidence, and the kid showed he’s ready for the moment.”
Lakers Depth Looking Dangerous
What’s becoming increasingly clear is that the Lakers are far from a two-man show. Even without Luka’s playmaking brilliance and LeBron’s all-around dominance, this roster has enough balance and hunger to compete every night. Hachimura chipped in with 18 points, Hayes protected the rim with three blocks, and the bench combined for 38 points — a testament to how deep and versatile this squad has become.
The Lakers’ defense, often criticized early in the season, tightened up in the second half, holding Portland to just 19 points in the fourth quarter. Communication, rotations, and hustle — all the little things — showed how much this group has matured.
Momentum Building in LA
With this win, the Lakers improved to 8-2 in their last ten games, continuing to climb the Western Conference standings. The chemistry is building, the bench is producing, and young players like Smith Jr. are proving they can carry the load when called upon.
If this game was any indication, the Lakers’ season isn’t just about their superstars — it’s about a culture of belief, development, and collective fight.
And on a night when the stars rested, Nick Smith Jr. became one. 🌟
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