With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Lakers up by one point over the Trail Blazers on Sunday, Russell Westbrook took an open midrange jump shot with the idea of giving his team an extra possession.
But he missed the shot, and Portland’s Damian Lillard went on to nail the eventual winning three-pointer as Los Angeles dropped to 0–3 to start the season.
LeBron James appeared frustrated by Westbrook’s decision, and after the game he was asked about his philosophy regarding going for a two-for-one possession in that situation. But he accused reporters of trying to set him up to criticize his teammate.
