If you’re checking your phone and wondering what was the score of lakers game, you’re probably not going to love the answer if you bleed purple and gold. Honestly, it was a rough night at the Moda Center. The Los Angeles Lakers took a heavy 132-116 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
It wasn’t just a loss; it was a beatdown.
Portland basically took control from the jump and never looked back. Shaedon Sharpe was a problem all night, dropping 25 points and looking like the best player on the floor. Meanwhile, the Lakers were missing their biggest engine, Luka Doncic, who sat out with left groin soreness. Without him, the offense looked kind of lost, and the defense? Well, giving up 132 points tells you everything you need to know.
The Breakdown: Portland 132, Lakers 116
The game started off shaky and stayed that way. Portland jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first half. Even though LeBron James tried to spark something with a massive dunk in the second quarter to pull within six, the Blazers just kept hitting back. By halftime, it was 71-61.
In the third, there was a tiny glimmer of hope. LeBron found Marcus Smart for a three-pointer that cut the lead to eight. But Sharpe answered immediately with a dunk that seemed to suck the air right out of the Lakers' bench. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the lead had ballooned to 24 points.
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Coach JJ Redick eventually pulled the starters with over five minutes left. It was a "pack it up" kind of moment.
Why the Question "What Was the Score of Lakers Game" Matters Right Now
People aren't just looking for a number; they're looking for signs of life. This loss dropped the Lakers to a 24-16 record. While that sounds okay on paper—they're currently 6th in the Western Conference—the "vibe check" is failing. This was their second loss in a row after getting handled by Charlotte 135-117 just two nights prior.
The defensive numbers are getting scary.
Over the last two games, Los Angeles has surrendered 267 points. You can’t win in this league, even with LeBron and Luka, if you’re treating the defensive end like an optional suggestion. Jerami Grant and Caleb Love both chipped in 22 for Portland, and it felt like they were getting whatever looks they wanted.
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The Injury Bug is Biting Hard
It’s hard to talk about the score without talking about who wasn’t playing.
Luka Doncic is currently the league’s leading scorer, averaging 33.6 points. When you take that much production out of the lineup, everyone else has to play up a level. Marcus Smart tried—he had 25 points—but he limped off in the fourth quarter with an injury of his own. That’s the last thing this team needs.
Deandre Ayton was also out with knee soreness. This left a massive hole in the paint that Drew Timme tried to fill off the bench. Timme actually played well, scoring 21 points, but he’s not a defensive anchor. The Blazers feasted in the restricted area because there was nobody there to scare them.
Looking Ahead: Can the Lakers Bounce Back?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. If you're asking about the score today, Sunday, January 18, the Lakers are back at it tonight against the Toronto Raptors. It's a quick turnaround at Crypto.com Arena.
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Toronto is 25-18 and playing solid basketball. If Luka can’t go, and with Smart’s status up in the air, the burden falls squarely on a 41-year-old LeBron James. He had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists against Portland, but he can't do it alone anymore.
Lakers fans are starting to get restless. The media pressure in LA is already high, and JJ Redick is finding out just how hot that seat gets during a mid-January slump.
Actionable Steps for Lakers Fans
Stop refreshing the box score and look at the bigger picture. Here is how to track the team's recovery over the next week:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Everything hinges on Luka Doncic’s groin. If he’s out for more than a few games, the Lakers could easily slide into the play-in tournament range. Check the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off.
- Watch the Defensive Rating: The Lakers are currently ranked 26th in the league defensively. Keep an eye on whether Redick changes the starting rotation to prioritize stops over scoring.
- Key Matchups: After the Raptors tonight, the Lakers head to Denver to face the Nuggets on Tuesday. That is the ultimate litmus test. If they can compete with Nikola Jokic without Ayton or Luka, there’s still hope.
The score of the last Lakers game was a wake-up call. Whether they actually woke up will be clear by the time the final buzzer sounds against Toronto.
Next Steps for Readers: Check the local SportsNet LA listings for tonight's 6:30 PM PST tip-off. If you’re betting, keep in mind the Lakers opened as slim 1.5-point favorites, but those odds are shifting rapidly based on the Luka Doncic injury news.