Basketball in Los Angeles usually feels like a movie premiere, but right now, it's starting to look more like a gritty survival drama. If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the lakers games this week, you've missed a wild pendulum swing between "Are we the best team in the West?" and "Wait, how did we just lose to them?"
Honestly, it’s been a weird stretch for JJ Redick’s squad. One night they are dropping 141 points in a masterclass of offensive flow, and the next, they're looking stagnant against teams they should probably handle with ease.
The Brutal Reality of Lakers Games This Week
The week kicked off with a thud in Sacramento on Monday, January 12. Despite having a roster that features both Luka Dončić and LeBron James, the Lakers fell 112-124 to a Kings team that, frankly, hasn't had much to cheer about this season. It was one of those games where the defensive rotations looked slow. You've seen it before—hands on hips, late closeouts, and a general sense of "we'll just outscore them later." Except, they didn't.
But then, the bounce-back happened.
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On Tuesday night, January 13, the Lakers returned to Crypto.com Arena and absolutely dismantled the Atlanta Hawks, 141-116. It was a scoring explosion that reminded everyone why this roster is so terrifying when the shots are falling. Luka was surgical. LeBron, even at 41, was hunting transitions like a player half his age.
What’s Left on the Calendar?
The grind doesn't stop. The schedule for the rest of this week is a mix of "trap games" and road tests:
- Thursday, January 15: vs. Charlotte Hornets (Home)
- Saturday, January 17: @ Portland Trail Blazers (Away)
- Sunday, January 18: vs. Toronto Raptors (Home)
Three games in four nights. That's a lot of mileage for a team relying on the oldest player in the league and a superstar in Luka who already carries a massive usage rate.
The Austin Reaves-Sized Hole in the Rotation
You can't talk about lakers games this week without mentioning who isn't on the floor. The absence of Austin Reaves has been felt in every single possession. Reaves is currently sidelined with a calf strain, and while Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia have tried to fill the void, the secondary playmaking just isn't the same.
Reaves has been averaging 26.6 points per game this season. You don't just "replace" that with "next man up" energy. It changes how defenses play Luka. Without Austin out there to keep the defense honest on the wing, teams are throwing the kitchen sink at Dončić, daring the Lakers' role players to beat them.
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Then there's the injury report chaos:
- Austin Reaves: Out (Calf)
- Adou Thiero: Out (Knee)
- Jaxson Hayes: Questionable/Day-to-Day (Hamstring)
If Hayes can't go, the frontline depth gets dangerously thin behind Deandre Ayton. We’re talking about Rui Hachimura having to play heavy minutes at the five in small-ball sets, which is fun for the offense but a nightmare when you're trying to protect the rim against guys like Portland's Robert Williams III later this weekend.
Why the Defensive Drop-off is Real
The Lakers currently sit 5th in the Western Conference with a 24-14 record. That sounds great on paper, but the underlying numbers are a bit of a red flag. Their defensive rating has slipped to 24th in the league. Basically, they are a Ferrari with a leaky radiator. They can go 200 mph, but they might overheat if the game stays close in the fourth quarter.
JJ Redick has been vocal about the team's "disposition" on the defensive end. Against Sacramento, the Lakers allowed 124 points to a team that ranks near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency. That’s not an X’s and O’s problem; that’s an effort and communication problem.
The Luka-LeBron Dynamic
It is still fascinating to watch. Luka is leading the team with 33.4 points and nearly 9 assists per game. LeBron is playing a more "Swiss Army Knife" role, hovering around 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The chemistry is there, but the fatigue is starting to show. When you have two ball-dominant stars, the "off-ball" players have to be elite at cutting and catching-and-shooting. Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht have had their moments, but the consistency isn't there yet.
What to Watch For Against Charlotte and Portland
The Hornets game on Thursday should be a "get right" game. Charlotte is hovering around 14-26 and shouldn't be able to match the Lakers' size. But if the Lakers come out flat—like they did against the Kings—this week could turn south quickly.
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The real test is Saturday in Portland. The Moda Center is never an easy place to play, and the Blazers always seem to play the Lakers like it's Game 7 of the Finals.
Key Matchups to Track:
- Deandre Ayton vs. The Glass: Ayton needs to dominate the boards to prevent second-chance points. He's been averaging about 8 rebounds lately, which is... okay, but he needs to be a double-double machine with Reaves out.
- Dalton Knecht's Minutes: The rookie has a smooth stroke, and with the spacing Luka provides, he should be getting 8-10 three-point attempts a night.
- The Bench Production: If Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber don't provide a spark, the starters are going to be gassed by the time the Raptors come to town on Sunday.
Actionable Strategy for Lakers Fans
If you're following lakers games this week, don't just look at the final score. Watch the first six minutes of the third quarter. That’s where this team either builds a cushion or lets opponents back in.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Check the status of Jaxson Hayes two hours before tip-off. If he's out, expect the Lakers to struggle with interior defense.
- Watch the Shooting Splits: The Lakers are 7th in offensive rating but 17th in points allowed. If they aren't shooting at least 36% from deep as a team, they struggle to win.
- Track the Standing: The West is a bloodbath. One bad week can drop you from the 5th seed to the Play-In tournament.
The Lakers have the talent to sweep the rest of this week, but they have to prove they can defend without their best perimeter defender in Marcus Smart having to do everything himself. Keep an eye on the transition defense; if they don't get back, even the Hornets can make them pay.