The Los Angeles Lakers are currently staring at a mirror and they might not like what's looking back. After a rough night in Sacramento on Monday, the focus shifts immediately. No time to breathe. The next game for the Lakers is a Tuesday night showdown back at Crypto.com Arena against the Atlanta Hawks, and honestly, the vibes are getting a little tense in Lakerland.
It's a back-to-back. Those are always brutal, but this one feels different because the Lakers are trying to keep their heads above water in a Western Conference that feels like a shark tank lately.
The Immediate Challenge: Hawks at Lakers
The ball tips off at 7:30 PM PT on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. If you're looking for it on the dial, it's on Spectrum SportsNet.
Atlanta is coming in with a 20-21 record, which sounds mediocre until you realize they just dismantled the Golden State Warriors 124-111. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is playing some of the best basketball of his life, dropping 24 points in his last outing. The Hawks aren't world-beaters, but they play with a frantic pace that can make an older Lakers roster look like they’re running in sand.
Why the Next Game for the Lakers is a "Must-Win" (For Real This Time)
We hear "must-win" in November and we laugh. It's January now. The jokes are over. The Lakers sit at 23-13, holding onto the 5th seed in the West, but they’ve dropped a few they shouldn't have recently, including that frustrating 105-101 loss to Milwaukee.
The standings are so tight right now that a three-game skid could send them tumbling into the play-in tournament conversation.
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- Home Court Fatigue: This is a home game, but coming off travel from Sacramento, the "home court advantage" usually doesn't kick in until the second half.
- Defensive Identity: JJ Redick has this team 10th in offensive rating, but the defense is ranked 22nd. You can't win a title with a defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league.
- The Luka Factor: Luka Doncic is carrying a massive load, averaging 33.3 points per game. He looked gunked up against the Bucks, shooting 8-of-25. He needs a bounce-back game against Atlanta’s middle-of-the-pack defense.
The Training Room is Crowded
The injury report is the biggest story of the next game for the Lakers. It’s getting hard to keep track of who’s actually available to play basketball.
Austin Reaves is out. That hurts the most because he’s the secondary playmaker who takes the pressure off Luka and LeBron. His left calf strain is keeping him sidelined for at least another week. Then you have Rui Hachimura, who’s been out since late December with his own calf issue.
LeBron James is listed as "questionable" for most games these days due to that left foot arthritis and sciatica. At 41, every back-to-back is a coin flip. If LeBron sits against Atlanta, the scoring burden on Doncic becomes almost unsustainable.
Breaking Down the Matchup
Honestly, the Hawks' backcourt is going to test the Lakers' perimeter defense. Without Reaves and with Marcus Smart trying to hold down the fort, the Lakers are vulnerable to quick, shifty guards.
Atlanta's 48.9% field goal percentage in their last game shows they are finding rhythm. The Lakers need Jarred Vanderbilt to be a defensive ghost—everywhere at once—to disrupt the passing lanes. If the Lakers allow Atlanta to shoot 40% from three like they’ve been doing lately, it’s going to be a long night in Los Angeles.
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"I missed free throws and turnovers, man," Doncic said after a recent loss. "I wish I could have executed better."
That's the star of the team taking the heat, but he needs help.
What to Watch For Tuesday Night
Keep an eye on the bench. With so many injuries, guys like Jake LaRavia and Bronny James might see more minutes than usual. It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of a long NBA season.
The Lakers have been dominant at home for chunks of this season, but their recent 101-105 loss to Milwaukee showed cracks in the armor. They let Giannis and the Bucks dictate the tempo. Against Atlanta, the Lakers have to be the aggressors.
Actionable Insights for the Lakers
If the Lakers want to walk away with a "W" on Tuesday, they have to fix three specific things:
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- Control the Defensive Glass: Atlanta is scrappy on offensive rebounds. The Lakers can't give them second-chance points.
- Luka's Efficiency: 8-of-25 shooting won't cut it. He needs to get to the rim early to find his rhythm.
- Bench Scoring: Someone other than the "Big Three" needs to contribute 15+ points.
The next game for the Lakers isn't just another date on the calendar. It's a chance to stop a potential slide and prove that this 23-13 record isn't a fluke.
If you're heading to Crypto.com Arena, expect a high-scoring affair. The over/under on these matchups has been hovering around 235 points lately. It’s going to be fast, it’s going to be loud, and for the Lakers, it’s going to be a massive test of their depth.
Check the final injury report two hours before tip-off. That’s when we’ll know if LeBron is a go. If he’s in, the Lakers are 6.5-point favorites. If he’s out, this becomes a pick 'em game very quickly.
Keep an eye on the rotation. JJ Redick has been experimental with his lineups when the stars are out, and we might see some unconventional pairings on the floor against the Hawks.