If you’ve been following the Purple and Gold lately, you know it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Honestly, "rollercoaster" might be putting it lightly. After a rough stretch that had fans checking the draft lottery odds in a panic, everyone is asking: did the lakers win their last game? The short answer? Yes. They didn’t just win; they absolutely dismantled the Atlanta Hawks.
It happened on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The final scoreboard looked like something out of a video game: Lakers 141, Hawks 116. For a team that had been struggling to find its rhythm, this wasn’t just a "W" in the standings—it was a statement. Coming off a frustrating three-game losing streak that saw them drop games to the Spurs, Bucks, and Kings, the Lakers desperately needed to defend home court. They did that and then some.
What Actually Happened: Did the Lakers Win Their Last Game with Authority?
The vibe in the arena was tense at tip-off. Fans weren't sure which version of the team would show up. But early on, it became clear the Lakers were locked in. They snapped that ugly three-game skid by leaning into their biggest stars.
LeBron James—who is somehow still doing this in his 23rd season at 41 years old—was a freight train. He finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. He was literally one rebound shy of a triple-double. Usually, on the second night of a back-to-back, you'd expect a guy his age to take it easy or even sit out. Instead, he played 32 minutes of high-intensity basketball.
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Then there’s the Luka Dončić factor. It still feels surreal seeing him in a Lakers jersey sometimes, but his chemistry with LeBron in this game was electric. Luka put up 27 points and 12 assists. When those two are clicking, the Lakers' offense is basically impossible to scheme against. They combined for 58 points and were the primary reason the Lakers shot a season-high 56% from beyond the arc.
Breaking Down the Scoring
The Lakers basically lived at the three-point line. Before this game, they were actually tied for the worst three-point shooting percentage in the league. Crazy, right? They turned that narrative upside down by hitting 19 triples.
- First Quarter: It started close, with Gabe Vincent hitting three early shots from deep to keep them afloat. Lakers led 37-30.
- Second Quarter: This is where the wheels fell off for Atlanta. The Lakers outscored them 44-30 in this frame alone.
- Third Quarter: The Hawks tried to make a run behind CJ McCollum, who dropped 25, but the lead was just too wide.
- Fourth Quarter: Pure garbage time, allowing the bench to get some burn and resting the starters for the upcoming tilt against Charlotte.
Why This Specific Win Was Different
We have to talk about the defense too. It’s easy to look at 141 points and forget the other side of the ball, but Deandre Ayton was a monster on the glass. He snatched 18 rebounds. Having that kind of interior presence allows the perimeter defenders to take more risks, and it showed.
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Also, Rui Hachimura finally made his return after missing nine games. He only played 18 minutes, but he looked mobile and confident, contributing 7 points. His presence gives head coach JJ Redick a lot more flexibility with the rotations, especially when they need a "switch-everything" lineup.
Redick's post-game comments were telling. He called it "one of the best responses we’ve had this year." He wasn't just talking about the score; he was talking about the energy. After that embarrassing loss in Sacramento where they only made eight 3-pointers, the Lakers looked like a team that actually liked playing together again.
The Standings Situation
With this win, the Lakers moved to 24-14 on the season. They are currently sitting at 5th in a very crowded Western Conference.
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The West is a bloodbath this year. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are leading the pack, while the Nuggets and Timberwolves are right there in the mix. For the Lakers, staying in that top-six seed range is the goal to avoid the play-in tournament drama. Every home game against a sub-.500 team like the Hawks is mandatory.
Looking Ahead: Can They Keep the Momentum?
So, did the lakers win their last game? Yes. But the real question is whether they can do it again on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
The betting markets already have the Lakers as 5-point favorites for that one. If they play with the same "ball-movement-first" mentality they showed against Atlanta, they should handle business. However, consistency has been the Achilles' heel for this roster all season. You can't shoot 56% from three every night. They need to find a way to win when the shots aren't falling, which means continuing to feed Ayton in the post and letting LeBron orchestrate from the elbow.
One thing to watch: LeBron’s recovery. Playing heavy minutes in a blowout is great for the stats, but at 41, every minute counts. Keep an eye on the injury report leading up to the Hornets game. If he or Luka sits, the pressure shifts entirely to the supporting cast like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jake LaRavia, both of whom had solid outings against the Hawks.
To stay ahead of the curve on the Lakers' season, keep a close watch on the official NBA injury reports and the Western Conference standings. The next three games—Hornets, Trail Blazers, and Raptors—are all very winnable. If L.A. can sweep this home stand, they’ll be in a prime position to challenge for a top-three seed by the All-Star break. Check the tip-off times for Thursday night’s game against Charlotte to see if they can start a new winning streak.