Injury-Hit Lakers Face Surging Trail Blazers In Portland Showdown

The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, was buzzing with anticipation on January 17, 2026, as the Portland Trail Blazers hosted the Los Angeles Lakers for their third and final regular-season clash of the 2025-26 NBA campaign. Both teams entered the contest with plenty on the line and more than a few obstacles to overcome, setting the stage for a compelling Western Conference battle that had fans glued to their screens and seats.

For the Lakers, the season had been a rollercoaster. Sitting at 24-15 and sixth in the West, Los Angeles was desperate to snap out of a rough patch that saw them drop four of their previous five games and eight of their last thirteen. With a 21-18 record against the spread and a penchant for surpassing the game total in 24 out of 39 outings, the Lakers had shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency, especially on defense.

The injury bug bit hard for Los Angeles. Superstar Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer at 33.6 points per game, was ruled out with a groin injury. Key contributors Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes, and Adou Thiero were also sidelined, while Deandre Ayton’s status remained questionable heading into the night. That left the ageless LeBron James, still putting up 22.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in his record 23rd NBA season, as the focal point of the Lakers’ attack. Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt were all expected to pick up the slack, but the absence of Doncic’s offensive firepower loomed large.

Despite their offensive ranking—16th in the league at 116.5 points per game and eighth in offensive rating—the Lakers’ Achilles’ heel had been their defense. They ranked just 26th in defensive rating and allowed opponents to pour in 116.9 points per contest, a stat that left head coach and fans alike scratching their heads. Their field-goal percentage and free-throw attempts were among the NBA’s best, but their three-point shooting lagged at 24th, and their defensive metrics—28th in opponent field-goal percentage and 25th in opponent three-point percentage—spelled trouble against high-octane teams.

On the other side, the Trail Blazers entered the night at 20-22, good for ninth place in the West, but with momentum on their side. Portland had won six of their last eight games, including a recent 117-101 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks, where bench production was off the charts. Shaedon Sharpe poured in 24 points, Jerami Grant led a reserve unit that contributed 55 points, and Donovan Clingan dominated the glass with 12 rebounds. The Blazers had gone 23-19 against the spread and topped the game total in half their matchups, a testament to their unpredictable but often explosive play style.

Yet, Portland’s injury list read like a who’s who of the roster. Deni Avdija, averaging a team-best 26.1 points, was out with a back issue, joining Damian Lillard (Achilles), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Matisse Thybulle (knee and thumb), Kris Murray (lower back), and Blake Wesley (foot) on the sidelines. Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday were both listed as questionable, putting extra pressure on the likes of Sharpe, Clingan, and rising talents Toumani Camara and Caleb Love to carry the load. Sharpe was averaging 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, while Clingan provided a double-double threat at 10.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Camara chipped in 12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, and Jrue Holiday, if available, brought 15.5 points and 7.3 assists per night.

Portland’s offense was just a tick behind the Lakers at 115.9 points per game (18th in the NBA), but their defense was even more porous, surrendering 118.4 points per outing—24th in the league. The Blazers’ offensive rating sat at 23rd, and their shooting woes were evident: 28th in field-goal percentage and 29th in three-point shooting. Still, they played at the eighth-fastest pace in the league, meaning a track meet was always a possibility, especially on their home floor.

As game time approached, the odds-makers gave the Trail Blazers a slight edge as 3.5-point home favorites, with a moneyline of -142, while the Lakers were +120 underdogs. The game total was set at 223.5 points, a figure that reflected both teams’ offensive potential and defensive vulnerabilities. However, with so many stars sidelined, many analysts, including Sean Barnard, predicted a lower-scoring affair. "Rather than back a side in what should largely be a toss-up game, I am backing the matchup’s under of 223.5 points," Barnard wrote, citing the depleted lineups and defensive improvements on both sides. "Expect some sloppy basketball from both sides and for points to be scarce. The 223.5 game total is simply too high, given the context of the matchup."

The expected starting lineups reflected the injury-ravaged rosters. For Portland: Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Caleb Love, Sidy Cissoko, and Shaedon Sharpe. For Los Angeles: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Kobe Bufkin, and Maxi Kleber. With so many regular starters out, the spotlight shone brightly on the supporting casts and the ability of coaches to make in-game adjustments.

Broadcast coverage of the game was extensive, with tip-off at 10:00 p.m. ET on KUNP, SportsNet LA, and NBA TV. Fans could also catch the action via Fubo and Prime Video, ensuring no shortage of ways to witness the drama unfold.

Both teams had something to prove. The Lakers, despite their pedigree and a living legend in LeBron James, needed to halt their slide and find a defensive identity. The Trail Blazers, buoyed by their recent surge and the emergence of young contributors, sought to solidify their playoff ambitions in a crowded Western Conference. Would Portland’s pace and home-court advantage be enough to outlast the battered but determined Lakers? Or would LeBron defy age and adversity yet again to steal a crucial road win?

As the Moda Center crowd roared and the players took the floor, one thing was certain: this was a matchup shaped as much by resilience and adaptation as by star power. With both teams missing key pieces, every possession, adjustment, and hustle play took on added significance. For fans and analysts alike, the outcome remained very much in doubt as the action got underway, promising plenty of intrigue deep into the night.