Injury-riddled Lakers fall to Trail Blazers for fifth loss in six games

Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times on Jan 18, 2026

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Before the Los Angeles Lakers took the court Saturday night, they added two more starters and a key reserve to the injured list. But the Lakers still had LeBron James and they hoped he could carry them past Portland.

Starters Luka Doncic (left groin soreness) and Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) did not play. In the fourth quarter, Marcus Smart went down amid a pile of players in the lane and eventually limped to the locker room and never returned.

As for James and the rest of the Lakers, the injuries before and during the game were too much to overcome in a 132-116 loss to the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center.

Smart had 25 points before he went to the locker room. James had 20 points but was just six for 16 from the field. He had nine rebounds and eight assists for a Lakers team that has lost five of its last six games.

Drew Timme was a positive for the Lakers, scoring a career-high 21 points. Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber each had 11 points.

Shaedon Sharpe led Portland (21-22) with 25 points. Jerami Grant and Caleb Love each scored 22 points and Donovan Clingan finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Doncic, who underwent an MRI and is listed as day-to-day, was dealing with the injury all of last week despite playing against the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets.

“I think it was an accumulation of a longer week, more lingering, if anything,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game.

The Lakers aren’t sure if Ayton will play against Toronto on Sunday. Ayton is day-to-day with left knee soreness.

“He took a hit in his knee and there was no swelling, just some soreness,” Redick said.

The Lakers were also without backup center Jaxson Hayes, who didn’t play against the Trail Blazers because of left hamstring tendinopathy. Redick said there’s a chance Hayes could play Sunday.

James missed his first five shots in the first quarter, finishing one-for-seven from the field for just two points.

The Lakers were called for 13 fouls in the first quarter, leading to 22 free-throw attempts for the Trail Blazers, a big reason why they opened a 40-27 lead after the first 12 minutes of play.