LOS ANGELES — Acting head coach Tiago Splitter didn’t sugarcoat his postgame assessment after the Portland Trail Blazers fell 123–115 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The Blazers, still navigating through a rough stretch of early-season injuries and lineup changes, showed flashes of rhythm offensively but couldn’t contain the Lakers’ late surge. Los Angeles shot 52% from the field and closed the game on a 12–4 run to hand Portland its third loss in four games.
Splitter, who’s temporarily leading the team while head coach Chauncey Billups remains away from the bench amid an ongoing league investigation, praised his players’ effort but admitted that inconsistency and fatigue were key factors.
“I thought we competed,” Splitter said postgame. “We kept fighting, we stayed connected, but there were too many small breakdowns — transition defense, second-chance points, turnovers — those things add up fast against a team like the Lakers.”
Injuries Testing Portland’s Depth
Portland entered the night short-handed once again. Star guard Anfernee Simons remained sidelined with an ankle injury, Deandre Ayton sat out due to back tightness, and Matisse Thybulle was unavailable because of knee soreness. That forced the Blazers to rely heavily on younger players and two-way contracts.
“We’re asking a lot from our young guys right now,” Splitter said. “They’re getting valuable experience, but it’s tough when you’re trying to develop and win at the same time. We have to be patient and stay the course.”
The depleted rotation also put extra pressure on Portland’s backcourt, where Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe combined for 46 points but struggled to maintain efficiency down the stretch. The Blazers committed 17 turnovers, several of which turned into easy transition baskets for the Lakers.
Splitter on His Own Coaching Journey
For Splitter, who’s in his first stint as acting head coach after joining Portland’s staff in 2022, the situation is as much a test of leadership as it is a challenge of X’s and O’s. The former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs spoke about how his experience as a player — including his own injury-shortened career — helps him relate to what his roster is going through.
“I know what it’s like to be hurt and frustrated,” Splitter reflected. “You want to be out there helping your team, but your body just doesn’t cooperate. That’s why I always tell our guys — take your recovery seriously. Don’t rush it. Be smart.”
Splitter, 41, underwent multiple hip surgeries before retiring in 2018. Since then, he has transitioned smoothly into coaching, known around the league for his tactical mind and calm sideline demeanor.
Focus on Growth and Resilience
Despite the loss, Splitter remained optimistic about the team’s development, emphasizing long-term improvement over short-term results.
“We’re learning through adversity,” he said. “Every game teaches us something — how to close quarters, how to defend without fouling, how to execute late. These are growing pains, but that’s how a young team builds character.”
The Blazers briefly trimmed a 14-point deficit to five in the fourth quarter after a hot stretch from Sharpe, but the Lakers responded behind clutch baskets from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who combined for 56 points.
Portland’s next challenge will come on Wednesday as they continue their road trip against the Phoenix Suns, with hopes of getting healthier and tightening up defensively.
“We’ll watch the film, correct the mistakes, and keep building,” Splitter said. “We have to stay together — that’s the only way we’ll get through this.”
