The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into tonight’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers looking to bounce back from a rough 117-135 loss to the Charlotte Hornets-a game that exposed some of the very issues that have plagued them all season. Chief among those concerns?
Defense. And with Deandre Ayton’s status still up in the air due to a lingering knee issue, the Lakers’ already thin frontcourt could be stretched even further.
Let’s be clear: the Lakers’ defensive depth has been a problem. That was on full display against Charlotte, where they gave up 135 points and dropped to 24-15 on the season.
The rotations were slow, the rim protection was inconsistent, and the Hornets took full advantage. Now, heading into a crucial Western Conference clash, the Lakers may have to do it without both of their primary centers-Ayton and Jaxson Hayes-who are both listed as questionable.
And it’s not just the bigs. Luka Dončić, dealing with left groin soreness, is also expected to miss the game.
That’s a major blow for a team that has leaned heavily on his playmaking and offensive gravity. Without him, the Lakers lose a key piece of their offensive identity, forcing others to step up in a big way.
That puts a lot of pressure on LeBron James, who once again finds himself in the familiar role of stabilizer. At 39, he’s still the engine that keeps this team running, and with the roster in flux, his leadership-on and off the court-becomes even more important. The Lakers will need him to set the tone early and often tonight if they’re going to avoid back-to-back losses.
Meanwhile, the conversation around Deandre Ayton continues to evolve. When the Lakers brought him in, there was real optimism that he could be the answer at center-a mobile big who could protect the rim, finish around the basket, and give them a reliable interior presence.
Statistically, he’s not far off from what was expected: 14 points, 8 rebounds, and a sky-high 68% shooting from the field. But as ESPN’s Zach Lowe pointed out recently, the numbers don’t tell the full story.
“He’s averaging 14 and 8 and shooting 68 percent. Despite the fact that it sounds like he is hitting the benchmarks that I assigned to ‘it works status’… it ain’t working,” Lowe said on The Lowe Post.
And he’s not wrong. Ayton has had too many quiet nights for a team that needs more than just efficient box scores-they need impact.
They need presence. And too often, Ayton just hasn’t brought that.
There’s also the question of chemistry. Ayton’s fit alongside Dončić has raised eyebrows.
On paper, it made sense-Dončić’s ability to draw defenders and Ayton’s finishing touch should have complemented each other. But in practice, the connection hasn’t clicked.
Whether it’s timing, spacing, or just a lack of rhythm, the duo hasn’t found the synergy many hoped for.
Ayton is now in his eighth NBA season, and while the talent is undeniable, the inconsistency is hard to ignore. The hope was that a change of scenery and a new role would unlock the version of Ayton that helped Phoenix reach the Finals not long ago. So far, that version has been elusive.
For the Lakers, tonight’s game is more than just a chance to get back in the win column-it’s a test of resilience. With key players sidelined and questions swirling about the roster’s fit and identity, this is the kind of moment where teams either pull together or start to unravel. The Trail Blazers may not be a top-tier opponent, but they’re scrappy, and they’ll smell blood if the Lakers come out flat.
Bottom line: the Lakers need to find answers, and they need to find them fast. Whether it’s Ayton stepping up when healthy, LeBron continuing to carry the load, or the supporting cast rising to the occasion, something’s got to give. Because in a Western Conference that’s as competitive as ever, there’s not much room for error.