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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Damian Lillard reminded the NBA why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous players in crunch time.
The veteran guard delivered another signature performance Tuesday night, helping the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Lakers 136-129 at Crypto.com Arena and hand Los Angeles its first loss of the season.
Lillard finished with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists, but his biggest contribution came when Portland needed it most.
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With the Trail Blazers holding a narrow three-point lead in the final minute, Lillard connected on a clutch 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining, extending Portland's advantage to six and effectively sealing the victory.
The shot capped an impressive fourth-quarter effort from the Trail Blazers, who outscored Los Angeles 34-26 in the final period.
Portland improved to 3-0, while the Lakers dropped to 3-1 after entering the matchup as one of the Western Conference's remaining undefeated teams.
Despite the loss, Luka Doncic continued his remarkable start to the season.
The Lakers superstar finished with 41 points, nine assists and five rebounds, following his 52-point explosion against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
Austin Reaves added 26 points and seven assists, but the Lakers struggled to contain Portland's balanced offensive attack. Ja Morant and Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 23 points apiece, while Jrue Holiday contributed 22 points off the bench.
Portland shot 59% from the field and connected on 18 of its 36 attempts from beyond the arc, repeatedly finding ways to answer Los Angeles throughout the second half.
The victory was particularly significant for Lillard, who missed the entire previous season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. His return has added another dimension to a Portland team looking to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
For Los Angeles, the loss exposed some of the defensive concerns that had been overshadowed by its impressive offensive production.
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The Lakers have now allowed at least 123 points in three consecutive games, an issue that could become increasingly difficult to overcome against stronger opponents.
Los Angeles will have little time to regroup, with a matchup against the LA Clippers scheduled for Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Portland remains undefeated, with Lillard once again proving that when the game is on the line, Dame Time is far from over.
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