After a four-game road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home on Sunday evening and immediately began their hosting of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Although both teams entered this match with injuries to their respective lineups, LeBron James’ absence due to a calf contusion was the most significant setback. However, the Lakers were able to secure a victory, doing so 116-110, bringing their road record back to.500 at 5-5.

Rui Hachimura, who replaced LeBron James in the lineup, delivered the Lakers’ opening tip-off tally via a dunk. The Trail Blazers secured a 12th-point stalemate when the Lakers committed a series of careless errors following an early lead.

Before the infusion of their new sixth man, Austin Reaves, who sparked the offense, the Lakers trailed 22-16. Deep passes completed by both him and Cam Reddish restored the game’s tie.

Reddish contributed ten points to the Lakers’ 31-28 lead into the second quarter in the first period. A three-point play was subsequently converted by Christian Wood to increase the Lakers’ lead.

Early in the second period, as the Trail Blazers increased their lead to 14-3, Shaedon Sharpe began to ignite. Unknown for his shooting ability, Matisse Thybulle enthralled the audience with two corner triples.

Excellent passmaking by D’Angelo Russell concluded the first half, assisting Hachimura and Anthony Davis for easy goals. Nonetheless, Thybulle’s subsequent three-pointer at intermission tied the score at 57-56.

Russell sustained his outstanding performance into the third quarter, contributing to the reestablishment of Los Angeles’ lead with two early baskets.

Subsequently, the Lakers began to reclaim the game, as Reaves extended their lead to double digits with five consecutive points. After a relatively lackluster first half, Davis began to gain momentum, dominating on both sides of the ball to assist the Lakers in claiming a 91-80 lead at the conclusion of the third period.

Nevertheless, Davis was sidelined for the fourth quarter, and a 9-0 run by the Trail Blazers necessitated a fast timeout by Darvin Ham. Following that, a one-point deficit and a 12-0 run ensued as Jerami Grant failed to make a wide open 3-point attempt. However, the situation was restored when Anthony Davis returned and scored seven consecutive points to restore order.

Nonetheless, an additional Trail Blazers run responded, and the game remained in a razor-thin margin of victory as time ran out.

Four consecutive baskets were scored by Hachimura in the final minutes for the Lakers, which were crucial. During the transition, Taurean Prince increased the Lakers’ lead to 108-103 with a steal and layup. Nonetheless, Grant was in a fiery mood during the second half and promptly responded with an additional three-pointer.

As they had done throughout the evening, the Lakers dominated the paint immediately, and both Davis and Hachimura contributed to the victory with their respective scores.