Trail Blazers end season with 109-81 win over short-handed playoff-bound Lakers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Dalano Banton scored 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers ended their season Sunday with a 109-81 victory over the playoff-bound Los Angeles Lakers, playing without Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Rookie Dalton Knecht had 27 points for the Lakers (50-31), who had won the last six meetings with Portland.

The Lakers had already locked up the third seed in the Western Conference with a 140-109 win over Houston on Friday. The Lakers will face the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round.

With a postseason berth secured, James (left groin strain) and Doncic (left quad soreness) were among those that did not play. Bronny James made his first start of the season, finishing with four points.

The Blazers were earlier eliminated from the postseason for the fourth straight season. But Portland, with the second-youngest roster in the league, surpassed expectations to finish 36-46.

Earlier Sunday, the Blazers announced that coach Chauncey Billups had agreed to a multi-year contract extension.

Portland held off the Lakers throughout the first half. Matisse Thybulle's 3 pointer gave the Blazers a 48-42 lead and Portland went on to extend the lead to 58-43 at the break.

Portland went on to lead by as many as 33 points.

Lakers: Also sat starters Rui Hachimura (patellar tendon), Austin Reaves (right ankle) and Jaxon Hayes (right hand contusion).

Trail Blazers: Were also short-handed with Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson Deni Avdija and JeramiGrant sidelined.

The Blazers outscored the Lakers 31-18 in the third quarter and headed to the fourth with a 89-61 lead.

Alex Len fouled out with just 13 minutes of play for the Lakers. He finished with four points.

The Lakers host Minnesota in the opening round next weekend with the date and time to be determined. The Trail Blazers head into the offseason.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers guard Shake Milton, left, dribbles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht, left, and Alex Len, right, celebrates after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris, right, shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Sidy Cissoko, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, right, celebrates the made basket with Rayan Rupert, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left, dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat trick as Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win at Portsmouth on Sunday.

The Premier League leader came back from going a goal down to the second tier Championship team inside three minutes.

Colby Bishop stunned Arsenal with the opening goal at Fratton Park, but the lead only lasted five minutes when Andre Dozzell scored an own goal. Martinelli put the visitors ahead in the 25th and struck twice in the second half.

Leeds was also behind to Championship opposition, but recovered from 1-0 down to beat Derby 3-1 at Pride Park.

Third-tier Mansfield pulled off an upset to beat Championship side Sheffield United 4-3 and Norwich routed Walsall 5-1.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Leeds United's James Justin scores their side's third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Derby County and Leeds United, in Derby, England, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka, right, celebrates with Wilfried Gnonto after scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Derby County and Leeds United, in Derby, England, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

Arsenal players celebrate after a goal during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Portsmouth and Arsenal in Portsmouth, England, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)