PORTLAND, Ore. — With all three of their biggest stars out, the Lakers gutted out a 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at Moda Center, relying on two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. to spark their fourth consecutive win.
Smith, playing on a two-way contract with the South Bay Lakers, scored 25 points with six assists off the bench as Luka Doncic (leg) and Austin Reaves (groin) sat out.
Rui Hachimura had 28 points while Deandre Ayton, returning from a one-game absence because of back spasms, scored 29 points with 10 rebounds and three blocks against his former team.