Game ID: 22400358
Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 22 37 18 30 107POR 28 17 29 24 98
LAL vs POR ScoutingLAL vs POR Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Hayes missed 2 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 13 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 11/23 after 4, 25 min since (79% of 32)
NEW Knecht 19 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/02 · back-to-backOUT Hayes missed 3 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 14 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 11/23 after 4, 28 min since (89% of 32)
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/04 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 2 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 4 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 15 since 11/04, out tonight
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/06 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 3 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 5 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 16 since 11/04, out tonight
NEW Knecht 19 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 4 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 6 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 17 since 11/04, out tonight
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/13 · 4 days' restOUT Reaves missed 5 since 12/01, returns tonight: 30 min (84% of 35)
OUT Hayes missed 7 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 18 since 11/04, out tonight
NEW Vincent 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 26 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/15 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 2 since 12/08, returns tonight: 34 min (96% of 35)
OUT Hayes missed 8 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 19 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 12/13 after 5, 30 min since (84% of 35)
NEW Vincent 21 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Hayes missed 9 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 20 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK James back 12/15 after 2, 34 min since (96% of 35)
BACK Reaves back 12/13 after 5, 33 min since (93% of 35)
LAL availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Hayes missed 10 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 21 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK James back 12/15 after 2, 34 min since (96% of 35)
BACK Reaves back 12/13 after 5, 33 min since (95% of 35)
NEW Hachimura 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Christie 25 to 30 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 11/29 · 1 day's restOUT Thybulle missed 19 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 2 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 11/25, returns tonight: 16 min (104% of 15)
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 32 min since (97% of 33)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 34 min since (112% of 30)
BACK Henderson back 11/27 after 3, 35 min since (133% of 27)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 15 min since (121% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 7 min since (70% of 10)
POR availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Grant missed 2 since 11/27, returns tonight: 38 min (116% of 32)
OUT Thybulle missed 20 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 3 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 2 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 33 min since (102% of 33)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 37 min since (124% of 30)
BACK Henderson back 11/27 after 3, 35 min since (133% of 27)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 16 min since (104% of 15)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 14 min since (110% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 6 min since (59% of 10)
POR availability going into 12/03 · 1 day's restOUT Henderson missed 2 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 21 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 4 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 3 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/01 after 2, 38 min since (116% of 32)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 35 min since (118% of 30)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 11 min since (70% of 15)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/06 · 2 days' restOUT Henderson missed 3 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 22 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 5 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 4 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/01 after 2, 36 min since (112% of 32)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 35 min since (116% of 30)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 9 min since (61% of 15)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Henderson missed 4 since 11/29, returns tonight: 21 min (79% of 27)
OUT Thybulle missed 23 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 6 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 5 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/01 after 2, 34 min since (104% of 32)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 31 min since (104% of 30)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 12 min since (78% of 15)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/13 · 4 days' restOUT Thybulle missed 24 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 7 since 11/25, returns tonight: 15 min (76% of 20)
OUT Williams III missed 6 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/01 after 2, 33 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 12/08 after 4, 21 min since (79% of 27)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/15 · 1 day's restOUT Thybulle missed 25 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 7 since 11/27, returns tonight: 17 min (94% of 18)
OUT Reath missed 2 since 12/08, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/01 after 2, 34 min since (105% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 12/08 after 4, 22 min since (81% of 27)
BACK Clingan back 12/13 after 7, 15 min since (76% of 20)
POR availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Ayton missed 2 since 12/13, returns tonight: 34 min (115% of 30)
OUT Thybulle missed 26 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 12/13, out tonight
OUT Reath missed 3 since 12/08, out tonight
BACK Henderson back 12/08 after 4, 21 min since (77% of 27)
BACK Clingan back 12/13 after 7, 17 min since (87% of 20)
BACK Williams III back 12/15 after 7, 17 min since (94% of 18)
POR availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Thybulle missed 27 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 3 since 12/13, returns tonight: 3 min (23% of 15)
OUT Reath missed 4 since 12/08, returns tonight: 3 min (33% of 10)
BACK Ayton back 12/19 after 2, 34 min since (115% of 30)
BACK Henderson back 12/08 after 4, 22 min since (83% of 27)
BACK Clingan back 12/13 after 7, 15 min since (78% of 20)
BACK Williams III back 12/15 after 7, 13 min since (76% of 18)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 23 and Davis at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Reaves (4 straight), Hayes (6 straight), Vanderbilt (17 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 126, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Simons at 20 and Ayton at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Henderson (4 straight), Thybulle (23 straight), Clingan (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Portland at 39 percent from three to the Lakers' 28 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 116 a night to Portland's 126. Call it the Lakers 115, Portland 112, Portland keeping it close.
12/01 @ UTA 105-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 105-104. LAL shot 44% (39 of 88) to UTA's 51%, 7 of 33 from three, and went to the line 25 times to UTA's 16 — 20 points from the stripe to their 10. LAL turned it over 5 times to UTA's 15. Davis led with 33 (13 of 25, 2 of 4 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); James added 27, Hachimura 13. The hinge was Q2, 32-29: LAL came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 2. Hood-Schifino was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
12/02 @ MIN 80-109 — LAL notes
LAL lost 80-109. LAL shot 41% (32 of 79) to MIN's 51%, 6 of 31 from three. LAL turned it over 20 times to MIN's 15, and MIN turned those into 11 steals. Russell led with 20 (8 of 12, 4 of 5 from three); Davis added 12, James 10. Q1 was theirs, 20-22, but the other 3 periods went 87-60 against them. James's -28 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/04 @ MIA 93-134 — LAL notes
LAL lost 93-134. LAL shot 42% (37 of 88) to MIA's 58%, 5 of 22 from three, and went to the line 19 times to MIA's 9 — 14 points from the stripe to their 6. The glass went 36-52 against them. James led with 29 (12 of 18, 1 of 4 from three); Hachimura added 14, Russell 12. Q1 was theirs, 26-34, but the other 3 periods went 100-67 against them. Davis's -29 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 @ ATL 132-134 — LAL notes
LAL lost 132-134 in 1 overtime. LAL shot 52% (51 of 99) to ATL's 50%, 16 of 35 from three, and got to the line 16 times to ATL's 22. James led with 39 (14 of 25, 6 of 11 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Davis added 38, Knecht 14. Q1 was theirs, 29-26, but the other 4 periods went 108-103 against them. They led by as many as 11.
12/08 vs POR 107-98 — LAL notes
LAL won 107-98. LAL shot 46% (38 of 83) to POR's 42%, 13 of 34 from three. LAL turned it over 11 times to POR's 17. Davis led with 30 (10 of 21, 1 of 4 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Russell added 28, Hachimura 23. The hinge was Q2, 37-17: LAL came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 14, and the lead reached 20. Hachimura was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
12/13 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 91, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Edwards at 20 and Randle at 16 a game. 4 days' rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 24 a game. They have lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Reaves (5 straight), Hayes (7 straight), Vanderbilt (18 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 91 a night to the Lakers' 116 and the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-8. Call it Minnesota 113, the Lakers 102, Minnesota by 11.
12/15 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without James (2 straight), Hayes (8 straight), Vanderbilt (19 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Morant at 25 and Jackson Jr. at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Kennard (4 straight), Edey (12 straight), Williams Jr. (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to the Lakers' 32 and the glass, where Memphis has been minus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-6. Call it Memphis 118, the Lakers 112.
12/19 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sabonis at 24 and DeRozan at 23 a game. Without Lyles (9 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 29 and Davis at 28 a game. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Hayes (9 straight), Vanderbilt (20 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 16 times a game to Sacramento's 11 and the glass, where Sacramento has been minus-0 a night and the Lakers minus-7. Call it Sacramento 119, the Lakers 110.
12/21 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sabonis at 24 and Fox at 23 a game. Without Lyles (10 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Davis at 30 and James at 25 a game. Without Hayes (10 straight), Vanderbilt (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 15 times a game to Sacramento's 11 and the arc, Sacramento at 41 percent from three to the Lakers' 36. Call it Sacramento 117, the Lakers 111.
11/29 vs SAC 115-106 — POR notes
POR won 115-106. POR shot 51% (46 of 90) to SAC's 45%, 11 of 37 from three, and got to the line 15 times to SAC's 28. POR turned it over 11 times to SAC's 20. Ayton led with 26 (11 of 19, 4 of 6 at the line); Simons added 21, Avdija 20. The hinge was Q3, 33-22: a lead of 4 became 15, and the lead reached 19. Avdija was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
12/01 vs DAL 131-137 — POR notes
POR lost 131-137. POR shot 58% (49 of 84) to DAL's 55%, 18 of 31 from three, and got to the line 18 times to DAL's 29. POR turned it over 21 times to DAL's 13, and DAL turned those into 13 steals. Simons led with 27 (9 of 11, 6 of 8 from three); Sharpe added 22, Avdija 21. Q1 was theirs, 29-25, but the other 3 periods went 112-102 against them. They led by as many as 10. Avdija's -16 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/03 @ LAC 105-127 — POR notes
POR lost 105-127. POR shot 51% (41 of 80) to LAC's 55%, 10 of 29 from three. Ayton led with 16 (8 of 10); Sharpe added 15, Avdija 15. Q2 was theirs, 27-27, but the other 3 periods went 100-78 against them. Ayton's -27 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 vs UTA 99-141 — POR notes
POR lost 99-141. POR shot 39% (37 of 95) to UTA's 55%, 14 of 47 from three, and got to the line 17 times to UTA's 23. The glass went 34-61 against them. Grant led with 19 (6 of 11, 4 of 8 from three); Banton added 19, Simons 14. Q2 was theirs, 27-34, but the other 3 periods went 107-72 against them. Simons's -34 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/08 @ LAL 98-107 — POR notes
POR lost 98-107. POR shot 42% (35 of 84) to LAL's 46%, 9 of 36 from three. POR turned it over 17 times to LAL's 11, and LAL turned those into 14 steals. Sharpe led with 19 (7 of 15, 2 of 6 from three); Ayton added 14, Simons 14. Q3 was theirs, 29-18, the deficit cut from 14 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 89-69 against them. Grant's -18 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/13 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Simons at 17 and Ayton at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Thybulle (24 straight), Clingan (7 straight), Williams III (6 straight). 4 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 125, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 29 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 25 and Vassell at 18 a game. Without Jones (4 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the line, where San Antonio takes 29 free throws a game to Portland's 17. Call it Portland 116, San Antonio 115, San Antonio keeping it close.
12/15 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and O'Neale at 17 a game. One day's rest. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 18 and Grant at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Thybulle (25 straight), Williams III (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 116 a night to Portland's 126 and the arc, Phoenix at 41 percent from three to Portland's 36. Call it Phoenix 119, Portland 111.
12/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; Simons at 17 and Grant at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Ayton (2 straight), Thybulle (26 straight), Murray (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 117, shooting 53 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Portland minus-5 and the line, where Denver takes 26 free throws a game to Portland's 17. Call it Denver 119, Portland 113.
12/21 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 29 and Champagnie at 16 a game. One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 21 and Grant at 17 a game. Without Thybulle (27 straight), Murray (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it San Antonio 117, Portland 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AT A. Traoré
BJ B. James
CK C. Koloko
CR C. Reddish
DK D. Knecht
DR D. Russell
GV G. Vincent
MC M. Christie
ML M. Lewis
QO Q. Olivari
RH R. Hachimura
PORAS A. Simons
BM B. McGowens
DA D. Avdija
DA D. Ayton
DB D. Banton
JG J. Grant
JW J. Walker
KM K. Murray
RR R. Rupert
SH S. Henderson
SS S. Sharpe
TC T. Camara
LAL/POR the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
LeBron James misses 1st game this season, sidelined versus Portland due to left foot soreness
LOS ANGELES -- — LeBron James sat out the Los Angeles Lakers ' 107-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday due to left foot soreness, the NBA career scoring leader's first missed game of the season.
The 39-year-old James had been upgraded to probable early Sunday before being downgraded to doubtful less than two hours before tipoff. He officially was ruled out about 30 minutes before gametime.
Without James, a trio of Lakers took charge, with Anthony Davis scoring 30 points with 11 rebounds, D'Angelo Russell adding 28 points with a season-high 14 assists and Rui Hachimura finishing with a season-high 23 points.
“We found out LeBron was out right before the game so the coaches told me I had to step up tonight,” Hachimura said. "I was ready for it. As a team, we were moving the ball well. (Russell) was great."
James did not speak to the media.
James played in the Lakers' first 23 games of the season, averaging 23.0 points with 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds.
Los Angeles got off to a 10-4 start, but had lost seven of nine games and three in a row before Sunday, including 134-132 in overtime at Atlanta on Friday. They are now 13-11 with the victory over the Trail Blazers.
James had his seventh triple-double of the season in the Atlanta loss, finishing with 39 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. It was the 119th triple-double of his career.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick put a positive spin on James’ absence, saying the night off “could be good for him,” because Los Angeles doesn’t play again until Friday at Minnesota.
The Lakers also were without Austin Reaves for the fifth consecutive game with a left pelvic contusion. Davis was active after he was listed on the team’s status report as probable with left plantar fasciitis.
James, in his record-tying 22nd NBA season, has averaged 27.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 1,515 regular-season games. He has averaged 28.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 287 career playoff games, while reaching the postseason 17 times.