Lakers lose their unbeaten record Lakers Suffer First Loss of Season as Trail Blazers Win 136-129 Thriller

The Lakers suffer their first defeat of the NBA season, losing 136-129 to the Trail Blazers as Damian Lillard delivers a decisive late three-pointer.

The Los Angeles Lakers experienced their first loss in the 2026-27 NBA season after being beaten 136-129 by the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. This was an exciting Lakers vs. Trail Blazers match that saw the two teams battle until the end, when Portland won. The Lakers' first loss of the 2026-27 NBA season marks an early setback for the team after its winning start.

According to Reuters, Doncic had a huge night for the Lakers, scoring 41 points and adding nine assists, while Austin Reaves chipped in 26 points and seven assists. Nevertheless, the Trail Blazers' team effort and execution in the end made the difference, as Portland won its third straight game and handed Los Angeles its first defeat after three consecutive wins. The Portland Trail Blazers' win over the Lakers highlights the team's ability to deliver under pressure in a close contest.

Damian Lillard made an important contribution to Portland's win, adding 21 points to the team's score and sinking a three-pointer with about 43 seconds left to play, which increased his team's lead to six points. Deni Avdija and Ja Morant added 23 points each, while Jrue Holiday added 22 points off the bench. High shooting accuracy contributed to Portland's success despite the Lakers' aggressive defence.

The Lakers entered this game after Doncic put on a good show against the Utah Jazz, scoring 52 points. Despite continuing his high-scoring performance, Doncic could not help the Lakers keep up with their opponents in the crucial fourth quarter.

Ahead of the game, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick talked about how tough it would be to play against the Portland Trail Blazers due to their offensive prowess, especially their backcourt. Regarding the opposing team, Redick explained, “You’re talking about a playoff team that essentially added [Damian] Lillard and Ja Morant, so it'll be a great test for us tonight.” Redick also pointed to the need for the Lakers to get back on defence and prevent Portland from driving to the hoop.

The Lakers were leading by five points at halftime, thanks to a three-pointer Sandro Mamukelashvili hit at the buzzer, making the score 73-68. Nevertheless, the Trail Blazers kept pressuring their opponents in the second half, making the game one to remember. Eventually, Lillard provided the decisive shot to ensure a 136-129 win for the visitors.

This game left the Lakers with a 3-1 record, whereas the Trail Blazers won their third consecutive game, improving to 3-0 in the process. Business Honor observes that Portland’s late-game execution secured the win, while the Lakers’ defensive struggles in the fourth quarter exposed areas that need improvement despite their strong scoring performance.

FAQs

Why did the Lakers lose to the Trail Blazers?

The Lakers lost 136-129 after Portland executed crucial plays late in the fourth quarter, including Damian Lillard's decisive three-pointer.

How many points did Luka Doncic score against Portland?

Luka Doncic scored 41 points and recorded nine assists for the Lakers.

Who were Portland's top scorers against the Lakers?

Deni Avdija and Ja Morant led Portland with 23 points each. Damian Lillard scored 21, while Jrue Holiday added 22 points.

What was the Lakers' record after the defeat?

The Lakers fell to 3-1, suffering their first loss of the 2026-27 NBA season.

What did Lakers coach JJ Redick say before the game?

Redick described Portland as a playoff team strengthened by the additions of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant. He also emphasised the need for strong defensive positioning against Portland's driving attack.