Portland Trail Blazers player Damian Lillard, center, tries to shoot past the defense of Los Angeles Lakers player Anthony Davis, left, and Dennis Schroder, right, in the first half of their NBA game in Portland, Oregon, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 40 points, including eight 3-pointers, to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 127-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, missed his third straight game with the Lakers with left ankle pain. He hasn’t played since breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s goalscoring record last Tuesday in a loss to Oklahoma City.

The Blazers opened up a 27-point lead and posted a season-high 23 3-pointers, including 17 3-pointers in the first half, a franchise milestone.

Lillard received a standing ovation from many in attendance at the Moda Center as he sat on the bench for the remainder of the match with 7 minutes remaining.

Anthony Davis had 19 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost four of their last five games.

Both teams have continued to bring in players acquired in the final round of transfers last week. Matisse Thybulle, acquired by Philadelphia in a four-way trade, made his debut for the Blazers as a starter. He scored 14 points and four triples.

D’Angelo Russell, who came to the Lakers as part of the trade that sent Russell Westbrook to Utah, started for the second straight night and finished with 16 points. Malik Beasley, arriving from the Jazz, scored 22 off the bench.

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