PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – LeBron James scored 40 points, including eight straight in a fourth-quarter surge, and Austin Reaves had 32 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 on Thursday night.
The Lakers were without guard Luka Doncic, who missed the game as he continues to recover from a strained calf.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 28 points.
After Portland tied it at 81 in the fourth quarter, Reaves gave the Lakers the lead again with a scoop shot. James then kicked things into a higher gear.
After an empty possession for Portland, James made a 3-pointer to give the Lakers an 86-81 lead. He hit another 3 moments later to make it 89-81. James then made a fadeaway jumper to cap a run of eight straight points – part of a 10-3 Lakers stretch that forced the Blazers to call a timeout.
After Portland´s timeout, James hit another jumper to make it 95-86. Reaves made three free throws to push the lead back to double-digits at 99-89.
Blazers: While rookie center Donovan Clingan is averaging 16 minutes per game, the Blazers think he´s ready for more following the injury to starter Deandre Ayton. Clingan finished with six points and six rebounds.
James had a two-handed slam with 7:25 left in the second quarter to give the Lakers a 40-22 lead, their biggest of the game. He then helped Los Angeles pull away with his scorung surge in the fourth.
The Blazers were 14 of 21 (67%) from the foul line, while the Lakers were 23 of 25 (92%).
The Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The Blazers host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James grimaces during the national anthem before an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, right, reaches for a loose ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers guards Gabe Vincent (7) and Jordan Goodwin during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, left, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups watch from the sideline during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, top, shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin (30) and guard Gabe Vincent during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, bottom right, looks to shoot between Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith, top, and center Jaxson Hayes, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
