The Lakers have 99 problems going into tonight’s game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, having won just 1 out of their last 5 games. Just weeks ago, they were sitting pretty, and even though their defense, or lack of it, was giving them troubles, a more than formidable offense had been successfully bailing them out. Unfortunately, for tonight’s game, they might not have the services of the leader of that offense.
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Luka Doncic had injured his groin during a warm-up session for their game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday. That didn’t completely send him back to the assembly line, though. Doncic notably played 3 games with that niggle, but the Lakers only managed to win one of those games.
As they take off against the Blazers tonight, the gold and purple nation will already be missing Austin Reaves, who has been a revelation for them this season. That said, this season, they have been rather good on the road with a 13-7 record to show for it. They will hope to improve on the win column tonight, but a lot will depend on whether Doncic takes to the court.
Unfortunately, as it happens, the groin injury, although not serious enough to rule him out for weeks, seems to have caught up to Doncic. As such, the LA Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic for tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
And it’s not the end of the Lakers’ worries. Adding to the list of the injured are Adou Thiero, who has also been ruled out due to a right MCL sprain, and Deandre Ayton, who has been deemed ‘questionable’, courtesy of soreness in his left knee.
Lakers’ injury report vs. Portland tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/YO3N1QbZPa
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 17, 2026
The Blazers also have injury concerns of their own, with Deni Avdija listed as doubtful due to a lower back strain. Kris Murray and Blake Wesley have also been ruled out, while Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday have been marked as questionable.
Suffice to say, both teams are plagued with injuries at the moment. The Blazers, however, have been on a really good run, having won 7 out of their 10 games, and look like a really confident team at the moment.
Hopefully, a win against the Blazers can soothe the fans, at the very least, and bring a semblance of hope to the gold and purple nation.
