The Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of110-113 on November 3 at the Mode Center in Portland. Damian Lillard had an incredible all-around game along with a huge game-winning three-pointer at the end of regulation. Lillard contributed 32 points, six rebounds, and five assists. He shot 44.4 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and he made all 14 of his free throw attempts. The Lakers lost more than just a game on Friday, they also lost one of their best players this season in Larry Nance Jr.
Kyle Kuzma is looking really good
Despite losing, Kyle Kuzma had a terrific game against the Trail Blazers. He contributed 22 points, three rebounds, and one block in 29 minutes. He shot 58.8 percent from the field, 20 percent from beyond the arc, and 50 percent from the Free Throw Line. Kuzma looked really good in his preseason games but he has continued his strong showing in the NBA regular season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Larry Nance Jr. breaks hand
Larry Nance Jr. suffered an injury in their game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Nance attempted a block in the third quarter and fell down awkwardly on his hand. He immediately left the game to get X-rays of his hand. He left the game after contributing, seven points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal in 19 minutes.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Nance broke the second metacarpal bone in his left hand. Adrian Wojnarowski added that Nance will be expected to miss four to six weeks after his surgery. This is a big blow for the Los Angeles Lakers as Nance has been a really solid center for them. Nance has averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in nine games this season.
Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle will get a huge boost in their playing time until Nance can return.
Jusuf Nurkic records an incredible game
Jusuf Nurkic had his best game of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers. He contributed 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 29 minutes. He shot 60 percent from the field and 100 percent from the free throw line.
Nurkic has had a quiet season so far, only averaging 15 points, 7.8 rebounds, and two assists per game. But tonight he stepped up his game and showed that the slow start this season was only a temporary thing.
Nurkic will have to play this well, consistently, in order for the Trail Blazers to survive the very tough western conference this season. Damian Lillard and Cj McCollum have been great so far but they still need that additional help, if Nurkic can be that help Portland will surely be a playoff team this year.
