Portland (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 18, 2026 – Shaedon Sharpe scored 25 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 132-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at Moda Center. Jerami Grant added 22 points, while reserve Caleb Love contributed 22 points and seven assists in Portland’s seventh win in nine games. The Lakers, missing Luka Doncic due to a left groin injury, suffered their ninth loss in 14 outings, with Marcus Smart topping their scoring at 25 points.
Portland, Oregon – The Portland Trail Blazers secured a decisive 132-116 win against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2026, at the Moda Center, propelled by standout performances from Shaedon Sharpe, Caleb Love, and Jerami Grant.
Shaedon Sharpe, Caleb Love Power Trail Blazers’ Offensive Surge
The game unfolded with Portland asserting early dominance. As reported by Field Level Media of Reuters, Shaedon Sharpe led all scorers with 25 points, guiding the Trail Blazers to victory. Jerami Grant contributed 22 points, including 15 in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting. Fellow reserve Caleb Love delivered 22 points and seven assists, particularly shining in the first quarter with eight points.
Donovan Clingan recorded a double-double, amassing 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sidy Cissoko added 14 points off the bench for Portland, which shot 52.3% from the field and converted 16 of 42 three-point attempts. This performance helped the Trail Blazers claim the season series against the Lakers, two games to one.
Portland’s centre Yang Hansen was noted warming up before the contest, as captured in imagery from the event, according to Reuters photographers.
Lakers Struggle Without Luka Doncic Amid Injury Setbacks
The Los Angeles Lakers faced significant challenges without their NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic, sidelined by a left groin injury. Marcus Smart emerged as the top scorer for Los Angeles with 25 points, including key three-pointers in the third quarter.
Drew Timme achieved a career-high 21 points off the bench, with 14 coming in the first half. LeBron James contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Maxi Kleber and reserve Rui Hachimura each scored 11 points for the Lakers, who shot 49.4% from the field and 13 of 31 from beyond the arc but trailed by as much as 24 points.
Former Portland big man Deandre Ayton also sat out due to a knee injury. Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija missed his third straight game with a lower-back strain.
ESPN Lakers reporter Law Murray highlighted the contrast with an earlier matchup, noting the Lakers’ resilience then versus the blowout now. Law Murray 🐐 (@LawMurrayTheNU) said in X post,
“In November The Los Angeles Lakers went to Portland on 0 days rest, played without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, trailed by 13 vs a Blazers team that had Avdija/Holiday/Sharpe/Camara/Clingan/Grant, and came out of there with win tonight: LeBron, no Avdija… blowout”
In November
The Los Angeles Lakers went to Portland on 0 days rest, played without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, trailed by 13 vs a Blazers team that had Avdija/Holiday/Sharpe/Camara/Clingan/Grant, and came out of there with win
tonight: LeBron, no Avdija… blowout
— Law Murray 🐐 (@LawMurrayTheNU) January 18, 2026
First Quarter: Portland’s 18-4 Run Sets Dominant Tone
Portland ended the first quarter with an commanding 18-4 run, leading 40-27 at the buzzer and never trailing thereafter. Caleb Love’s eight points in the period were instrumental in this surge, as detailed by Field Level Media of Reuters.
The Trail Blazers maintained momentum into the second quarter. A layup by LeBron James brought Los Angeles within 50-44 with 5:51 remaining, but Portland responded. Robert Williams III’s two free throws with 2:37 left in the half extended the lead to 14 points. Portland held a 71-61 advantage at halftime.
Third Quarter Surge Pushes Lead to 20 Points
The third quarter proved pivotal. Marcus Smart’s second three-pointer pulled the Lakers within 75-67. However, Portland countered with 25 of the next 38 points. Jerami Grant scored the final seven points of this run, giving the Trail Blazers a 100-80 lead with 4:02 remaining in the period.
Portland entered the fourth quarter leading 107-90.
Fourth Quarter: Trail Blazers Seal Win with 15-2 Run
The Lakers mounted a late push, closing to 115-104 on a three-pointer by Kobe Bufkin with 7:07 left. Portland responded decisively with a 15-2 flurry. Toumani Camara drained a three-pointer, Shaedon Sharpe scored five straight points, and Caleb Love added seven consecutive points, extending the lead to 130-106 with 3:05 remaining.
The Trail Blazers closed out the game comfortably, finishing with a 132-116 triumph.
Post-game radio host Allen Sliwa summarised the outcome and the Lakers’ recent skid in his broadcast announcement. Allen Sliwa (@AllenSliwa) said in X post,
“Blazers Over Shorthanded Lakers, 132-116 | Lakers Have Lost 5 of Last 6 Games.”
Portland Trail Blazers Improve to 7-2 in Last Nine Games
Blazers Over Shorthanded Lakers, 132-116 | Lakers Have Lost 5 of Last 6 Games https://t.co/ADN3WWTfDg
— Allen Sliwa (@AllenSliwa) January 18, 2026
This victory marked Portland’s seventh win in their past nine games, showcasing improved form. The Blazers’ efficient shooting and balanced scoring from starters and reserves overwhelmed the depleted Lakers, who have now lost nine of their last 14 contests.
Key contributors like Shaedon Sharpe, Sidy Cissoko, and Caleb Love highlighted the depth of the Trail Blazers roster in this matchup. The win aligns with Portland’s strong recent run, including triumphs over various opponents in the Blazers game schedule.
Lakers’ Ninth Loss in 14 Games Highlights Injury Impact
For the Lakers, the absence of Luka Doncic proved costly. Despite efforts from Marcus Smart, LeBron James, and Drew Timme, Los Angeles could not overcome Portland’s offensive output. The team’s struggles without key players underscore ongoing challenges in their recent schedule, as echoed in post-game commentary.
This defeat fits into a pattern, with the Lakers dropping multiple games amid injuries and tough road tests like the Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers match.
Player Stats: Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Breakdown
Detailed player statistics from the Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers game underscore Portland’s edge. These figures capture individual contributions in the Portland Trail Blazers versus Lakers contest:
Portland Trail Blazers (POR):
- Shaedon Sharpe – 25 points – Game-high scorer
- Jerami Grant – 22 points – 15 in first half
- Caleb Love – 22 points, 7 assists – Key reserve
- Donovan Clingan – 18 points, 11 rebounds – Double-double
- Sidy Cissoko – 14 points – Off bench
Los Angeles Lakers (LAL):
- Marcus Smart – 25 points – Top Lakers scorer
- Drew Timme – 21 points – Career-high
- LeBron James – 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists – All-around effort
- Maxi Kleber – 11 points
- Rui Hachimura – 11 points – Off bench
Portland’s team shooting: 52.3% FG, 16/42 3PT. Lakers: 49.4% FG, 13/31 3PT. Data compiled from Field Level Media reporting via Reuters. Such stats from the Blazers game illustrate the lopsided nature of the Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers player stats.
Game Context: Blazers vs Lakers Season Series Finale
This contest concluded the season series, with Portland prevailing two games to one. The Blazers’ home performance at Moda Center, bolstered by contributions from emerging talents like Shaedon Sharpe and Sidy Cissoko, proved decisive.
The matchup drew attention amid Portland’s recent hot streak and the Lakers’ injury woes, as covered extensively in sports reporting on the Portland Trail Blazers and their rivals.
Venue and Atmosphere: Moda Center Hosts Key NBA Clash
Held at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on January 17, 2026, the game featured pre-match warm-ups including Portland center Yang Hansen, as documented by Reuters imagery credited to Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.
The arena provided a strong home advantage for the Trail Blazers in this high-profile Blazers game against the Lakers, contributing to the electric atmosphere reported across outlets.
