The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the new 2022-2023 NBA season as a massive failure. On Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, the team lost to the undefeated, 3-0 Portland Trail Blazers, continuing to disappoint fans. 

          The Lakers started off the game with a strong lead and were playing great defense. However, their lead quickly diminished due to their poor shot selections. Not only were their shots not falling, but the Blazers put up a great fight on the defensive end, playing a well-rounded two-three zone, which allowed them to end the first quarter with an 8-point lead. Miraculously, the Lakers made a comeback in the second and third quarters and went into the fourth quarter with a five-point lead.

           With 18 seconds remaining, the Lakers led the game 102-101, but Trail Blazers Damian Lillard managed to pull off a clutch stepback three-pointer, pulling his team into the lead with 104 points. Then, LeBron James blew by Jusuf Nurkić and got a wide-open two-handed dunk to tie the game. However, Jerami Grant drove toward the basket and managed to score a game-winning layup to seal the victory. LeBron James and Anthony Davis scored a combined 53 points while Damian Lillard carried the Trail Blazers’ offense, managing to score 41 points. After this miserable defeat, the Lakers are 0-3.