LeBron James, Lakers Disappoint NBA Fans in Loss to Trail Blazers with Luka Doncic Out Injured

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers fell 132-116 on the road to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday with Luka Doncic sidelined.

Doncic was held out with left groin soreness, per ESPN, after coming off a 39-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets in a loss Thursday.

James finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, shooting 6-of-16 from the field while setting the tone on both ends.

Drew Timme provided a spark off the bench with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, and Marcus Smart poured in 25 points in the win.

Portland's Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 22 points, two assists and three rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe added 25 points.

James and the Los Angeles Lakers disappointed fans in the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

With the win, the Trail Blazers improved to 21-22, maintaining their hold on ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Lakers fell to 24-16 as they continue to jockey for a top-six spot.

Portland carried a 10-point lead into halftime, led by 15 points from Jerami Grant off the bench, while Shaedon Sharpe added 10. Drew Timme paced the Lakers with 14 points at the break, while LeBron James scored 10 and Marcus Smart added 11.

The Blazers extended the margin to 17 entering the fourth quarter and did not look back, closing out a 16-point victory.

The Lakers will host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday in the second night of a back-to-back before beginning an eight-game road trip Tuesday.