Trailblazers Spoil LeBron’s Lakers’ Debut With A 128-119 Victory At Home
The Portland Trailblazers open the 2018 season with a win against the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James at home. Before the game, Portland honored their Owner and Microsoft Cofounder Paul Allen, who passed away earlier this week after losing his battle with Lymphoma cancer. The Blazers celebrated Allen with a white spotlight was directed from the rathers onto Allen’s seat with a rose on top of a white Blazers cap. Just like the one that Allen would wear to each home game at Moda Center.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum led the Blazers with a combined 49 points and received a boost from Nik Stauskas with 24 points off the bench. As for the Lakers, LeBron James tallied 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Other notable players for the Lakers are Josh Hart, who chipped in with 20 points off the bench, while Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram combined for 31 points in their season debut. A couple of Laker newcomers Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee tallied a combined 26 points, as the Lakers fall to Blazers 128-119.
The Blazers will be back in action on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center. The Lakers will be taking on the revamp Houston Rockets at the Staples Center.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
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