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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, celebrates after scoring as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left, and guard Skylar Mays look on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Los Angeles.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
Anthony Davis managed to score 30 points and secure 13 rebounds, and Rui Hachimura made eight of his 19 points in the final 3:43 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-110 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night despite LeBron James’ absence due to injury.
James, who missed a game for the first time this season, was sidelined because of a bruised left calf. He injured his shin during a collision with Kevin Durant in the Phoenix game on Friday night.
The top scorer in NBA history managed to return to the game, but the Lakers opted to rest the 38-year-old star in preparation for their upcoming back-to-back games starting Tuesday night.
Although James’ absence presented a challenge, Davis shone in the fourth quarter, scoring nine points to help the Lakers secure the win while coming back from a 1-3 trip.
“It’s Anthony Davis,” said Austin Reaves, who scored 18 points. “Anytime he gets on the floor — you never want to have LeBron or anybody out, but anytime you’ve got Anthony Davis on the floor, you’ve got a chance. He changes the game.”
Cam Reddish contributed 16 of his 18 points in the first half for Los Angeles. Jerami Grant scored 23 points, and Shaedon Sharpe added 19 for the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Most games in the NBA, it comes down to executing down the stretch, because it’s always going to be a two- or three-possession game,” said Skylar Mays, who had 15 points and 12 assists for Portland “They had us there, but we showed a lot of fight. We’ve just got to learn how to finish games. It’s early. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for it.”
Los Angeles also played without Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, while the Blazers are without Malcolm Brogdon, rookie Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.
“(It’s) always been a dream to get out there on the court,” added Duop Reath, the Blazers’ 27-year-old rookie center, who scored 11 points in his NBA debut, including three 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: At Utah on Tuesday night in the In-Season Tournament.
Lakers: Host Memphis on Tuesday night in the In-Season Tournament.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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