It has been a rough 24 hours for anyone following the purple and gold. If you’re checking your phone to see who is winning the Lakers game right now, the answer depends on which time zone you’re in and whether you’re looking at the scoreboard or the upcoming schedule. The Lakers literally just wrapped up a frustrating road trip in Portland and are currently in transit back to Los Angeles to host the Toronto Raptors tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, the "who is winning" part of the question has a depressing answer for Saturday night. The Lakers got handed a 132-116 loss by the Portland Trail Blazers. It wasn't particularly close by the end, and the vibes in the locker room are likely pretty low heading into tonight's tip-off at Crypto.com Arena.
The Blazers blowout: Why the Lakers didn't stand a chance
Portland is usually a place where the Lakers find some rhythm, but Saturday night was a different story. Shaedon Sharpe absolutely scorched them for 25 points. But the real story wasn't who was on the floor for Portland—it was who was missing for Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic sat out.
The MVP frontrunner has been dealing with left groin soreness, and even though an MRI came back clear, JJ Redick played it safe and kept him on the bench. Without Luka’s 33.6 points per game, the offense looked stagnant. Marcus Smart tried to pick up the slack with 25 points, but he limped off in the fourth quarter. If you're keeping track of the injury report, that’s a massive red flag.
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LeBron James did his usual thing—20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists—but at 41 years old, he can’t be expected to carry the scoring load when the young guns aren't hitting. Drew Timme was a bright spot off the bench with 21 points, yet the defense couldn't stop Jerami Grant or Caleb Love, who both chipped in 22 for the Blazers.
Who is winning the Lakers game tonight?
The Lakers (24-15) are back home tonight to face the Toronto Raptors (25-18). Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET).
If you are looking for a live score right this second, the game hasn't started yet. We're in that weird limbo where the team is flying back from Oregon, trying to figure out if Marcus Smart’s leg is okay and if Luka can give them 20 minutes of floor time.
Toronto is coming in hot after a 115-101 win over the Pacers. They’ve got Brandon Ingram playing some of the most efficient basketball of his career, and Scottie Barnes is a walking triple-double threat.
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Key Matchups for Sunday Night
- The Luka Factor: If Doncic plays, the Lakers are favorites. If he doesn't, they’ve lost four of their last five.
- Brandon Ingram vs. LeBron James: The former Laker always plays with a chip on his shoulder when he returns to LA.
- Interior Defense: Without Deandre Ayton, who has been in and out of the lineup, the Lakers are vulnerable in the paint.
The Lakers have struggled against "young, athletic, quick teams" all year. Toronto fits that description perfectly. They force turnovers and run the break. If the Lakers don't take care of the ball—something they failed to do in Portland—this could be another long night for fans at Crypto.com Arena.
What most fans are getting wrong about the standings
People see 24-15 and think the Lakers are comfortably in the mix. They are, technically, 5th in the West. But the gap between the 4th seed and the play-in tournament is razor-thin this year. Losing winnable games against teams like Charlotte (which happened Thursday) and Portland (last night) puts immense pressure on these home stands.
The Raptors aren't some "easy" Eastern Conference opponent anymore. They are 4th in the East and have a better record than the Lakers right now.
The Marcus Smart Injury Update
Basically, the Lakers' defensive identity revolves around Smart. When he limped off the court at the Moda Center, the perimeter defense collapsed. Coach JJ Redick hasn't given a firm update yet, but usually, "limping off and not returning" leads to at least a few games on the shelf. This means more minutes for Max Christie and perhaps some experimental lineups involving Gabe Vincent if his back is up for it.
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How to watch the Lakers vs. Raptors
If you’re trying to catch the action live to see who is winning the Lakers game as it happens:
- TV: Spectrum SportsNet (Local LA) or TSN (Canada).
- Streaming: Fubo or NBA League Pass (subject to blackouts).
- Radio: ESPN LA 710 or 1330 KWKW for the Spanish broadcast.
Tonight's game is a "must-win" in the context of January. You don't want to go into a Tuesday matchup against the Denver Nuggets on a three-game losing streak. That’s a recipe for a mid-season spiral.
Actionable Steps for Lakers Fans
- Check the 5:30 PM PT Injury Report: This is when we’ll know for sure if Luka Doncic is suiting up. His status changes the betting line by nearly 6 points.
- Watch the Turnovers: If the Lakers have more than 6 turnovers in the first half, they are likely going to lose. Toronto thrives on points off turnovers.
- Monitor the Bench: Look for Drew Timme to see if his Portland performance was a fluke or if he's actually the secondary scoring option they need right now.
The Lakers need to protect home court. They are 11-8 at home this season, which is "okay" but not "championship caliber." If they want to stop the bleeding, it starts tonight against Toronto.