NBA: LeBron sits but Anthony Davis, Lakers get it done vs Blazers

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball defended by Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Meg Oliphant/Getty Images/AFP

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, Rui Hachimura scored eight of his 19 points in the final 3:43 and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame LeBron James’ injury absence to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-110 on Sunday night.

James missed a game for the first time this season, sitting out because of a bruised left calf. The leading scorer in NBA history injured his shin in a collision with Kevin Durant during the first quarter in Phoenix on Friday night.

Although James returned to that game, the Lakers decided to rest the 38-year-old star Sunday for their long haul ahead, including back-to-back games starting Tuesday night.

James’ supporting cast couldn’t pull away from Portland, but Davis took charge down the stretch for the Lakers, scoring nine points in the fourth quarter while Los Angeles held on in its first game back from a 1-3 trip.

AD with the CLUTCH bucket to give him 30 PTS 💪

Lakers-Blazers | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/93dalymfFN pic.twitter.com/F28piDlYu0

— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2023

Cam Reddish scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half for Los Angeles, which held a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter before Portland scored 12 consecutive points. Austin Reaves added 18 points and D’Angelo Russell had 11 points and 11 assists.

Jerami Grant scored 23 points and Shaedon Sharpe added 19 for Portland, which has lost three straight after a three-game winning streak.

The Blazers trailed just 104-103 with three minutes left, but Los Angeles made an 8-2 run before Hachimura and Reaves hit clinching free throws in the final seconds.

Los Angeles also played without Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, while the Blazers are without Malcolm Brogdon, rookie Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.

Austin Reaves finds AD with a slick bounce pass 💪

Lakers-Blazers | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/93dalymfFN pic.twitter.com/xu0MVvftVX

— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2023

Duop Reath, the Blazers’ 27-year-old rookie center, scored 11 points in his NBA debut. The Sudan-born Australian hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter for his first basket, and he finished with three 3s.

Jamaree Bouyea had six points in his Blazers debut after signing a two-way contract earlier in the day. The second-year guard from the University of San Francisco played briefly for Miami and Washington last season.

Matisse Thybulle scored 14 points with four 3-pointers in the first half, but he came out midway through the third quarter and didn’t return for Portland, which didn’t announce an injury.

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.