Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) looks to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images William Liang-Imagn Images

Lakers, Blazers Starting Fives Announced Ahead of Monday Game

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ricardo Klein | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 9:32 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers will hit the road for their contest on Monday as they get set to take on the Portland Trail Blazers for their eighth game of the season.

The Lakers will look for their fourth consecutive win, and so will the Blazers, who have been one of the hottest teams to start the season. While the Blazers have been dealing with some off-the-court issues, it hasn't fazed them one bit.

Portland has a 4-2 overall record, while they are 2-1 in front of their home crowd. The Lakers will look to stay perfect on the road as they have a 3-0 record away from their home fans.

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However, it will be a tall task for the Lakers as they will be without two of their star players, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers will also remain without their other superstar, LeBron James, as he continues to recover from a sciatica injury.

Overall, the Lakers will be without six players. Because of that, the Lakers will once again have a different starting five for Monday's contest.

Lineup alert: Lakers will start Smart, Knecht, LaRavia, Hachimura, Ayton on Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 4, 2025

As for the Blazers, they will trot out the same starting five they did in their most recent contest against the Denver Nuggets.

Lineup alert: Blazers will start Holiday, Sharpe, Camara, Avdija, Clingan on Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 4, 2025

The Lakers and Blazers will meet for the second time this season. Last Monday, the two teams faced off for the first time this season, and it was the Balzers who came out on top, 122-108.

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Portland played better between the two, and more importantly, they were the healthier team. In that contest, the Lakers were without not one, not two, not three, but seven players.

They were without the likes of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent. Although that was the case, Reaves went nuclear, scoring 41 points against the Blazers after dropping 51 the night before against the Sacramento Kings.

LA will be hobbled to enter this contest, and the oddsmakers do not like their chances for this one. According to ESPN Bet, the Lakers are massive road underdogs at +9.5.