Damian Lillard powers Trail Blazers past Luka Dončić, Lakers to remain undefeated

Luka Dončić did everything he could to try and power the Los Angeles Lakers to a fourth straight win on Tuesday night. It just wasn't enough to get past Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.

The Portland Trail Blazers, thanks to a huge bucket from Morant late and a huge step-back 3-pointer from Lillard in the final minute, fended off Dončić and the Lakers to grab a 136-129 win on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. That pushed Portland to 3-0, its best start since 2022, and ended LA's three-game win streak to start the 2026-27 campaign.

While the contest was tight throughout, it wasn't until vintage Lillard showed up that the Blazers were able to seal the deal. Lillard, after faking to get Matisse Thybulle in the air in the corner, expertly stepped back to hit his bucket on the wing. That was the 36-year-old's fourth 3-pointer of the night.

That was enough to put the Lakers away, and push the Blazers to the seven-point win.

Dončić certainly tried to power the Lakers to the win Tuesday, which came just days after a 52-point performance against the Utah Jazz. Dončić scored a game-high 41 points and had nine assists against the Trail Blazers. He went 6-of-15 from behind the arc, including a ridiculously-deep triple down the stretch that kept the game close.

Austin Reaves added 26 points and seven assists for the Lakers, and Sandro Mamukelashvili finished with 17 off the bench. A win for the Lakers on Tuesday night would have matched the best start in team history since the 2010-11 campaign, which was led by Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

Lillard is in his first season back on the floor this fall. He missed all of last season recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered with the Milwaukee Bucks the season prior, and then he signed a three-year deal to rejoin the franchise where he got his start in 2025.

Lillard ended the night with 21 points and five rebounds. Morant, also in his first season with the Trail Blazers after his blockbuster trade out of Memphis, led the team with 23 points after shooting 9-of-13 from the field. Deni Avdija had 23 points and nine assists, and Jrue Holiday added 22 points off the bench. Portland, despite the win, missed 15 free throws.

While it's still very early, the Morant-Lillard pairing is clearly off to a great start up in Portland.