In a stunning display of resilience and rookie brilliance, the Los Angeles Lakers notched a hard-fought 112-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, extending their NBA winning streak to five games despite missing several key players. Rookie sensation Nick Smith Jr. emerged as the unlikely hero, dropping a career-high 28 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the short-handed squad to triumph.
Nick Smith Jr.’s Explosive Debut in the Spotlight
Nick Smith Jr., the 19-year-old sharpshooter selected 27th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets before being traded to the Lakers in a midseason blockbuster, has been on a tear lately. But nothing prepared fans for his performance against the Trail Blazers. Entering the game as a bench player, Smith Jr. quickly ignited the Lakers‘ offense with his perimeter shooting and fearless drives to the basket.
With LeBron James sidelined by a nagging ankle sprain and Anthony Davis nursing a minor groin issue, the pressure was on the young roster. Smith Jr. responded with poise beyond his years. He finished the night with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists. His five made threes from deep were crucial, especially in the third quarter when he drained back-to-back triples to spark a 15-4 run that gave the Lakers a commanding lead.
“Nick’s been putting in the work,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham postgame. “Tonight, he showed why we believe in him. That confidence from deep changed the game.” Smith’s efficiency was remarkable; he shot 50% from the field and 83% from the free-throw line, proving his value as a microwave scorer off the bench.
Born in Eneg, Arkansas, Smith Jr. was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, committing to the University of Arkansas before opting for the G League path to accelerate his professional development. His journey to the NBA was anything but smooth—plagued by minor injuries and adjustment issues early in the season. However, in the last 10 games, he’s averaged 15.2 points per contest, drawing comparisons to a young Klay Thompson for his shooting stroke.
The Lakers’ front office deserves credit for the trade that brought him to Los Angeles. In exchange for a protected first-round pick and veteran forward Rui Hachimura, the Lakers acquired Smith Jr. and a second-rounder, a move that looked risky at the time but is paying dividends now. As the team pushes for a deep playoff run, Smith Jr.’s emergence adds a dynamic element to their backcourt rotation.
Lakers’ Injury Woes Force Tactical Shifts
The Lakers entered the matchup against the Trail Blazers severely depleted, missing not only James and Davis but also point guard Gabe Vincent due to a shoulder tweak. This forced coach Ham to rely heavily on his depth, with Austin Reaves stepping up as the primary ball-handler and Jarred Vanderbilt anchoring the defense.
Despite the absences, the Lakers shot 48% from the field and held the Trail Blazers to just 42% shooting. Reaves contributed 22 points and eight assists, while D’Angelo Russell added 18 points off the bench. The team’s defensive intensity was key; they forced 17 Portland turnovers, converting them into 22 points. Vanderbilt’s energy was infectious, as he swatted four shots and snagged 12 rebounds, many of them contested.
Statistics from the game highlight the Lakers’ adaptability. They outrebounded Portland 48-41 and dominated the paint with 52 points compared to the Blazers’ 44. The Lakers’ bench outscored Portland’s 52-38, underscoring the contributions from role players like Smith Jr. and Russell. This victory marks the third time this season the Lakers have won without both James and Davis in the lineup, a testament to their improved depth after the trade deadline acquisitions.
LeBron James, watching from the sidelines, was vocal in his praise. “These guys stepped up when it mattered most,” James said in a halftime interview streamed on the Lakers’ official NBA app. “Nick’s shooting opened everything up. Proud of this group.” The win improves the Lakers’ record to 42-28, keeping them firmly in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Looking deeper into the Lakers’ season, their winning streak has been built on a balanced attack. Over the last five games, they’ve averaged 115.6 points per game while holding opponents to 102.4. This defensive clampdown, combined with opportunistic offense, has fueled their surge. Fans at Crypto.com Arena were electric, chanting Smith Jr.’s name in the final minutes as the rookie’s free throws sealed the deal.
Trail Blazers’ Defensive Lapses Hand Lakers the Edge
For the Portland Trail Blazers, the loss was a bitter pill, dropping them to 21-49 and further dimming their lottery hopes. Despite a valiant effort led by Anfernee Simons’ 25 points and Jerami Grant’s 20, the Blazers couldn’t contain the Lakers’ perimeter attack. Portland allowed 14 three-pointers on the night, with Smith Jr. accounting for over a third of them.
The Blazers started strong, leading by as many as eight in the first quarter behind Simons’ hot hand. However, their defense crumbled in the second half, particularly against pick-and-roll actions involving Reaves and Vanderbilt. Coach Chauncey Billups pointed to rebounding as a critical area of failure. “We gave them too many second chances,” Billups said. “That hurt us down the stretch.”
Portland’s youth movement, featuring players like Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara, showed flashes but lacked the veteran savvy to close out quarters. Henderson tallied 15 points but committed five turnovers, including a costly one in the fourth that led to a Smith Jr. fast-break dunk. The Blazers’ shooting woes were evident; they went 8-of-25 from beyond the arc and struggled at the rim against Vanderbilt’s length.
This defeat extends Portland’s losing streak to four games, highlighting ongoing issues with consistency. Since trading Damian Lillard in the offseason, the Blazers have been in rebuild mode, prioritizing development over wins. Yet, games like this expose the growing pains of a young roster. Grant, in his postgame comments, remained optimistic: “We’re building something here. Losses like this teach us what we need to work on.”
In the broader NBA context, the Trail Blazers rank 28th in defensive rating at 118.2 points allowed per 100 possessions. Their inability to switch effectively on screens allowed Smith Jr. to exploit mismatches repeatedly. As the season winds down, Portland will look to secure a high draft pick, potentially adding another cornerstone to pair with Simons and Henderson.
Momentum Builds as Lakers Eye Playoff Push
The victory over the Trail Blazers not only extends the Lakers’ winning streak but also injects fresh confidence into a team that’s overcome significant hurdles this season. With James and Davis expected back for the weekend’s back-to-back against the Clippers and Warriors, the Lakers are poised to climb higher in the standings. Their next test comes Friday against crosstown rival LA Clippers, a game that could solidify their position in the top four of the West.
Nick Smith Jr.’s performance has sparked discussions about his role moving forward. Will he earn more starts? Ham hinted at increased minutes, saying, “He’s earning his spot. Expect to see more of Nick.” The rookie’s integration could be pivotal in a potential deep playoff run, providing spacing and scoring punch alongside the stars.
NBA analysts are taking notice. On ESPN’s postgame show, Kendrick Perkins raved, “Smith Jr. is the X-factor for LA. If he keeps shooting like that, watch out for the Lakers in May.” The team’s chemistry, forged through adversity, has them believing in a championship contention. With 12 games left, every win counts toward securing homecourt advantage.
Looking ahead, the Lakers face a gauntlet of Western Conference foes, including the Nuggets and Mavericks. Maintaining this winning streak will require contributions from everyone, but Smith Jr.’s emergence signals brighter days. As the purple and gold faithful dream of another ring, this short-handed win serves as a rallying cry: depth and determination can conquer all.
The NBA season is heating up, and the Lakers’ story is one of redemption and rising stars. Stay tuned as Los Angeles continues its charge toward the playoffs, with Nick Smith Jr. leading the charge from the bench.
