The Los Angeles Lakers continue to emphasize the need for time to integrate Luka Doncic into their lineup. However, their recent struggles, including a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, highlight the challenges they face.
After a humbling 100-97 home defeat against the Hornets, the Lakers will look for a better outcome when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. In the loss to Charlotte, the Lakers squandered a 13-point second-half lead and had a chance to force overtime, but LeBron James missed two 3-point attempts in the final five seconds. James finished with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, playing on a sore left foot that kept him out of the All-Star Game.
Luka Doncic played 33 minutes in his third game with the Lakers, contributing 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. However, he struggled with his shooting, going 5 of 18 from the field, including 1 of 9 from beyond the arc, and committing six turnovers. Since joining the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 14.7 points and has made just 5 of 24 three-point attempts, with the team going 1-2 in those games.
The Lakers’ back-to-back schedule is due to the game against Charlotte being a makeup for the January 9 contest postponed due to the Los Angeles fires.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers showed signs of resurgence by winning 10 of 11 games before going 0-3 on a road trip to end play before the break. After facing the Lakers, Portland will host the Hornets on Saturday before embarking on a seven-game road trip.
Center Deandre Ayton, who excelled during Portland’s hot stretch, injured his left calf on February 10 against the Denver Nuggets and will miss at least three more weeks. Rookie Donovan Clingan stepped up by starting the final game before the break, recording 17 points and a career-best 20 rebounds while facing three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Jerami Grant (right knee), Scoot Henderson (right ankle), and Robert Williams III (right knee) are all questionable for the Trail Blazers.
The Lakers have a 2-0 record against Portland this season and have won the last five meetings between the teams.
