Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Match Player Stats (April 13, 2025): Rookies Shine in 109-81 Blowout

The Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers match player stats from April 13, 2025 show just how weird NBA basketball can get when playoff spots are locked.

I spent the afternoon at Moda Center watching this bizarre season finale where Portland dismantled Los Angeles 109-81. The atmosphere felt more like a preseason scrimmage than a regular season NBA contest.

Why This Game Turned Into a G-League Showcase

Several factors combined to create this strange excuse for an NBA game:

• Lakers (50-31) had already secured the #3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs
• Trail Blazers (35-46) were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention
• Both coaches prioritized health over a meaningless win

The result? A game where rookies and third-stringers played starter minutes while stars watched from the bench in street clothes.

Notable Absences That Transformed the Game

The Lakers sideline looked like an All-Star team in suits:

• LeBron James (left groin strain)
• Luka Doncic (left quad soreness)
• Austin Reaves (ankle sprain)
• Rui Hachimura (patellar tendinopathy)
• Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle effusion)

Portland’s injury report was equally stacked:

• Anfernee Simons (forearm)
• Shaedon Sharpe (knee)
• Scoot Henderson (concussion)
• Deni Avdija (thumb)
• Jerami Grant (knee)

The official box score listed a staggering 16 players between both teams as unavailable, per Basketball-Reference.com. I’ve covered hundreds of NBA games, and rarely seen so many DNPs on a single sheet.

The Numbers Behind Portland’s Dominance

Looking at the box score, you can see exactly how Portland took the Lakers apart:

Key Statistical Disparities

• Rebounding: Portland 56, Lakers 42
• Offensive boards: Portland 27, Lakers 13
• Field goal percentage: Portland 43.8%, Lakers 38.8%
• Points in the paint: Portland 52, Lakers 34
• Turnovers: Lakers 20, Portland 14

What it means: Portland grabbed nearly half their missed shots while the Lakers kept turning the ball over. Good luck winning when that happens.

Lakers Individual Performances: Rookie Spotlight

Dalton Knecht: Volume Scoring Without Impact

• 27 points (game high)
• 9/21 FG (42.9%), 5/12 3PT (41.7%)
• 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Team-worst +/- of -28

Key takeaway: While Knecht showed scoring ability, his zero assists on 29.7% usage rate revealed a one-dimensional approach that didn’t elevate teammates.

Bronny James Gets His First Start

• 38 minutes (career high)
• 4 points on rough 2/10 shooting
• 6 assists, 4 steals
• .200 true shooting percentage

Key takeaway: James displayed court vision and defensive instincts despite shooting struggles, providing glimpses of potential role player value.

Veterans and Bench Contributors

Shake Milton: 16 points but needed 15 shots to get there (-25 plus/minus)

Markieff Morris: The veteran forward provided stability with 11 points and 6 assists

Christian Koloko: Defensive specialist with 5 blocks in 19 minutes (team’s best +/- at -1)

The Lakers’ makeshift lineup struggled to generate quality shots (86.0 offensive rating) against even Portland’s depleted roster. I watched their offensive possessions grow increasingly stagnant as the game progressed, with minimal ball movement and lots of isolation play.

Trail Blazers Players Who Seized Their Opportunity

Dalano Banton: Floor General

• 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
• Game-best +30 plus/minus
• 29.2% usage rate, 29.5% assist percentage

Key takeaway: Despite mediocre shooting efficiency, Banton’s playmaking and pace control created quality looks for teammates throughout.

Donovan Clingan: Rebounding Machine

• 12 points, 12 rebounds (double-double)
• 8 offensive rebounds (more than half the Lakers’ team total)
• 6/10 FG (60%)
• +28 plus/minus

Key takeaway: Clingan’s relentless work on the offensive glass demoralized the Lakers and created countless second chances. His motor never dropped despite the meaningless game context.

Efficiency Kings: Camara and Thybulle

Toumani Camara: Near-perfect shooting night with 14 points on just 7 attempts (5/7 FG, 4/6 3PT)

Matisse Thybulle: Added 15 points with 5 rebounds and his trademark defensive disruption

Sitting courtside, I couldn’t miss the energy difference. Portland’s guys hustled for everything like they were trying out for next year’s team. Some Lakers looked like they’d mentally checked into Cancun already.

Statistical Anomalies Worth Noting

Several statistical oddities emerged from this unusual matchup:

• Portland shot an abysmal 47.6% from the free throw line (10/21)
• Both teams played at a fairly standard pace (94.2 possessions)
• The Lakers’ starting lineup posted a collective -108 plus/minus

If you dig into the deeper stats, the beatdown looks even worse than the scoreboard showed. Portland scored 115.7 points per 100 possessions while the Lakers managed just 86.0. On defense, Portland gave up only 88.6 points per 100 possessions compared to the Lakers’ brutal 119.2.

Lakers vs Timberwolves Playoff Preview Impact

This blowout loss had minimal impact on the Lakers’ playoff preparation against Minnesota. In their subsequent playoff series against the Timberwolves, the Lakers returned to full strength with LeBron and Luka leading the way.

The only carryover from this game came in the form of Dalton Knecht, who earned spot minutes in the rotation after his scoring display, and Christian Koloko, whose rim protection earned him situational minutes against Minnesota’s size.

Lakers vs Blazers Head-to-Head Statistical Comparison

The stark contrast in the plus/minus column tells the story of Portland’s complete dominance when both starting units were on the floor together.

What These Stats Reveal About Both Teams

For the Lakers, the performance highlighted concerning depth issues. If playoff injuries force them to dig this deep into the bench, the dropoff from stars to third-string options could prove catastrophic. This became particularly relevant when they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.

For Portland, several developmental bright spots emerged. Clingan’s rebounding prowess, Banton’s playmaking, and Camara’s efficient shooting provide building blocks for a team looking toward the future. The Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers matchup later in the preseason would showcase some of these same young players in more competitive situations.

Remember the Context When Looking at These Stats

Numbers only make sense with the full picture. These Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers match player stats come from a game where almost nobody who matters actually played.

The Lakers now focus on their playoff journey with their star-studded lineup, while Portland heads into draft preparation with encouraging film on their developing talent.

FAQ’s About Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Match Player Stats