The Los Angeles Lakers return to their home court at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, January 2, 2026, for a high-stakes Western Conference showdown against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. This marks the second clash between these teams in a short period, setting the stage for a tense and potentially pivotal game.
Team Standings and Injury Crisis
The Lakers enter this contest with a solid 20-11 record, looking to solidify their position. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a tougher season at 15-18, striving for stability in a fiercely competitive conference. The Lakers narrowly defeated the Grizzlies 117-112 in Memphis on October 31, adding an extra layer of rivalry to this quick rematch. The teams are scheduled to meet again just two days later on January 4.
However, this game may be decided not just by strategy but by which team can best navigate a significant injury crisis. Both squads are dealing with multiple key absences that could force coaches to dig deep into their benches.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Situation
The Lakers' rotation faces considerable uncertainty with several players listed as questionable. The list includes:
- Rui Hachimura (calf issue)
- Gabe Vincent (back problem)
- Drew Timme (concussion protocol)
- Austin Reaves (calf injury)
- Jarred Vanderbilt (leg issue)
The only confirmed absence for Los Angeles is Adou Thiero, who is expected to miss the rest of January due to a knee sprain. The availability of Reaves and Vanderbilt will be particularly crucial for the Lakers' guard rotation and defensive schemes.
Memphis Grizzlies Injury Woes
The Grizzlies arrive in Los Angeles in an even more precarious situation. They are significantly short-handed, with three players—Jaylen Wells, Brandon Clarke, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope—all questionable due to lower-body injuries.
More critically, Memphis has already ruled out five players for this road game: Vince Williams Jr., John Konchar, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. This extensive list leaves their bench exceptionally thin, putting immense pressure on their remaining starters and role players to perform extended minutes.
How to Watch: Broadcast and Streaming Details
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET). For local television coverage, fans can tune into FanDuel Sports Network Southeast–Memphis and Spectrum SportsNet.
Viewers outside the local markets have several options to catch the action live:
- NBA League Pass
- Fubo
- YouTube TV
Radio listeners can follow the play-by-play on ESPN LA 710 or the Grizzlies Radio Network.
Key Matchups and Betting Context
This game presents a classic clash of strengths and weaknesses. The Los Angeles Lakers are the second-best shooting team in the league, converting an impressive 49.9% of their field goals. Their offense, ranked seventh overall, is heavily powered by Luka Doncic, who averages 33.5 points per game. His scoring prowess will be a direct test for Memphis's defense, particularly if Vanderbilt is limited.
Conversely, the Lakers struggle on the boards, ranking near the bottom with just 40.9 rebounds per game—a vulnerability exposed in a recent home loss to Detroit. This plays directly into Memphis's hands, as the Grizzlies rank third in the NBA with 46.2 rebounds per game and play at one of the league's fastest paces. Their leader, Jaren Jackson Jr. (18.4 ppg), will be central to both their rebounding effort and slowing down Doncic's attack.
The primary issue for Memphis is efficiency; they rank a lowly 24th in field goal percentage. If their shots aren't falling, their rebounding advantage may not be enough.
Given the injury scenarios, the performance of bench players could decide critical stretches of the game. The betting markets reflect the Lakers' home-court advantage, opening with Los Angeles as 3.5-point favorites. The total points line is set at 240.5. While the Lakers are favored on the moneyline, analysts suggest the depleted Grizzlies still have a path to keep the game competitive, especially if they dominate the paint and force a fast tempo.
