The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road on Saturday night as they travel to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in a Western Conference matchup.
Los Angeles enters Saturday’s game with a 24-15 record after losing at home to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23).Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images)
In Thursday’s loss to the Hornets, Luka Doncic led the way for the Lakers as he recorded 39 points, three rebounds and four assists while LeBron James added 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Now Los Angeles will try to bounce back on Saturday as they face off against the Trail Blazers in a tough road matchup.
On the other side, Portland enters Saturday’s contest with a 20-22 record after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at home on Thursday night.
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17)Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Shaedon Sharpe led the way for the Trail Blazers in Thursday’s victory as he ended the game with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Jerami Grant recorded 16 points and three assists off the bench.
While both teams are looking to pick up a victory in Saturday night’s matchup, both squads may be without multiple key players due to injuries.
Lakers Injury Report, Will Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton Play?
For the Lakers, they have five players listed on their injury report, including both Doncic and Deandre Ayton.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77).© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Los Angeles has ruled out Doncic due to left groin soreness as the Lakers will elect to sit him in the first game of their back-to-back.
With Doncic sidelined, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr. and Gabe Vincent could all be in line for increased roles.
The Lakers have also ruled out Austin Reaves and Adou Thiero as they both remain sidelined while recovering from injuries.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
(© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)
Ayton has been listed as questionable due to left knee soreness while Jaxson Hayes is questionable with left hmastring tendinopathy.
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If either or both big men are sidelined on Saturday, Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme could have larger roles.
Trail Blazers Injury Report, Will Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant Play?
On the other side, the Trail Blazers have eight players listed on their injury report, including both Deni Avdija and Grant.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8)Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
Portland has listed Avdija as doubtful due to a lower back strain and he is expected to miss his third consecutive contest.
With Avdija likely to be sidelined once again, Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love could both have larger roles.
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Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9)Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
(Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
The Trail Blazers have listed Grant as questionable due to left Achilles injury management while Jrue Holiday is questionable due to right calf injury management.
Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley have all been ruled out as they remain sidelined while recovering from injuries.
Fans can catch Saturday night’s matchup between the Lakers and Trail Blazers from Portland at 10:00 p.m. EST on NBA TV.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.