Portland, Ore., is about 350 miles from Spokane, Wash., where Johnathan Williams played college basketball. So when the Lakers brought him in to training camp and he looked at the schedule, the game in Portland was one he anticipated for many reasons.
Beyond being potentially his first NBA game, it would have been a chance for Williams to see some friends who were planning to attend. It would have also been a chance for them to see him playing in a Lakers uniform.
“That was a very dark day that day,” Williams said. “My family said just keep praying.