PORTLAND, Ore. — Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. shook off a stomach illness to score 25 points and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Nov. 3, 2025.
Smith, signed this summer after being waived by the Charlotte Hornets, seized unexpected minutes with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined. The Lakers have also been without Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart, leaving head coach JJ Redick thin in the backcourt.
“I wasn’t going to miss this one,” Smith said postgame on Spectrum SportsNet, noting he felt sick but wanted to reward the staff’s confidence in him. He attacked Portland’s pressure defense, handled primary ball-handling duties for stretches, and knocked down two fourth-quarter three-pointers to seal the win.
The 2023 first-round pick has spent much of his early career searching for a foothold after struggling with the rebuilding Hornets. Los Angeles offered a second chance on a two-way contract, and injuries opened a lane for immediate playing time.
Smith acknowledged the Lakers’ expectation to “compete and win no matter who’s available,” adding that the group had to “keep it going” until the roster is back to full strength. Once healthy, Los Angeles could return the 20-year-old to its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, but his breakout in Portland underscored why the organization views him as a development project worth monitoring.
Source: LakersNation.com
