Shorthanded Lakers fall to Blazers
Jan 17, 2026
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant reacts after a bas
ket against the Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Sidy Cissoko (91) reacts after a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Lakers Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Show Caption1 of 5Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Expand
PORTLAND, Ore. — Shaedon Sharpe had 25 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 132-116 victory Saturday night over the Lakers, who were playing without top scorer Luka Doncic.
Jerami Grant and Caleb Love each added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won seven of their last nine games.
Marcus Smart had 25 points for the Lakers but he limped off the court midway through the fourth quarter and did not return. The extent of his injury was not known.
LeBron James added 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Drew Timme finished with 21 points off the bench.
Doncic, who leads the league with an average of 33.6 points a game, did not play because of left groin soreness. Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game that Doncic’s MRI was clear and he’s day-to-day. Doncic had 39 points in the Lakers’ 135-117 loss to Charlotte on Thursday.
The Lakers were also without center Deandre Ayton because of left knee soreness.
Portland remained without top scorer Deni Avdija, who missed his third game because of a back injury. Avdija was averaging 26.1 points a game.
The Blazers led by 14 points in the first half, but the Moda Center crowd still cheered loudly when James dunked to close the Lakers within 53-47 in the second quarter. Portland led 71-61 at the half.
James lobbed a pass to Smart who hit a 3-pointer to pull the Lakers within 75-67 in the third quarter but Sharpe answered with a dunk.
Portland stretched its lead to 24 points late in the game and Redick sent James to the bench with 5:40 left.
Up Next
The Lakers host Toronto on Sunday.
Related Articles
Lakers’ urgency lacking when opponents heat up from perimeter
Lakers can’t keep up in loss to LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Lakers coach JJ Redick defends ‘remarkable’ LeBron James amid criticism
LeBron James barely misses triple-double as Lakers rout Hawks to end 3-game skid
Luka Doncic scores 42, but Lakers lose to hot-shooting Kings
...read more
read less