Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic performances marred by oddly-timed flopping calls late

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers gave fans one of the best games to start the 2026-27 regular season, with Damian Lillard, Deni Avdija, and Ja Morant taking on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler in a battle of the unbeatens. While the game featured some high-level shot-making down the stretch capped off by Lillard’s signature “Dame Time” celebration, it was nearly overshadowed by some questionable officiating calls.