Recap: Lillard Hurt, Blazers Get Decked By Lakers 135-115 In Game 4

Well it was fun while it lasted.

The Portland Trail Blazers found themselves in a familiar spot in Game 4, falling behind early and ultimately submitting to a simply far more equipped Los Angeles Lakers squad 135-115.

To add injury to insult, Damian Lillard landed awkwardly after a shot attempt in the third quarter and went to the locker room. He came back shortly after, played a few possessions with an obvious limp, went back to the locker room and didn’t return.

More important news on Lillard’s health notwithstanding, it is hard to call this much of a game at all, as Portland found themselves down double-digits and scoreless less than three minutes in. Their first points didn’t come until almost midway through the opening quarter, finding themselves down 15-2. It didn’t get any closer the rest of the way.

At least this time they saved you from the suspense.

It was often hard to watch. The Blazers seem to have lost all of the magic and offensive creativity that had carried them through the seeding games and into the playoffs. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company scored at will with little resistance. Things got chippy; CJ McCollum picked up a tech; Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard earned double-fouls; fun all around.

Jusuf Nurkic led the way for Portland (if someone must) with 20 points and 13 boards.

The Blazers now trail the series an almost insurmountable three games to one.

Box Score

What’s next

The Blazers will get one more game to keep their season alive in Game 5 set for Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. Pacific.