Nick Smith Jr.? How the most unexpected Lakers player beat Blazers without 3 stars

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a notable 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers despite missing three of their star players: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. This unexpected win highlights the strong performance of other team members, including Nick Smith Jr., who stepped up in the absence of the stars. The victory extends the Lakers' winning streak to four consecutive games, improving their overall record to 6-2. This result demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, managing to overcome significant absences while maintaining competitive play. The Lakers' ability to win without key players may provide optimism for their season moving forward. This game adds to a series of recent successes, underscoring the team's current momentum.