Lakers visit Portland to open NBA Cup group play

Los Angeles enters on a three-game winning streak.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

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What happened: The Los Angeles Lakers travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers in their Emirates NBA Cup opener on Friday. The contest tips off at 7 p.m. PT with broadcast coverage on Prime Video and radio coverage on Rip City Radio 620.

Why it matters: Cup group-stage matchups count toward regular-season records while determining seeding for the eight-team single-elimination knockout round. A strong opening result helps secure tournament positioning while maintaining pace near the top of the Western Conference.

By the numbers: Los Angeles stands at 7-2 through nine games in the 2026-27 season and ranks second in the Western Conference. The Lakers carry three straight victories into Friday, most recently winning 116-103 at Sacramento on Nov. 4.

What to watch: Group-stage competition continues through late November before the tournament shifts to Las Vegas for the semifinals and championship.

Sources

@trailblazers Nov 06, 2026 · 18:03 UTC

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Lakers visit Portland to open NBA Cup group play

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