The Portland Trail Blazers are set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers for their first game of 2025 on Thursday, January 2nd. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM PST at the Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers have an upgraded roster after acquiring 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney Smith from the Brooklyn Nets. While DFS was a great addition to bolster their roster, that's the least of Portland's worries, as something they should be more concerned about is their poor play on the road so far this season.
The Blazers have an 11-21 record overall but are just 3-13 on the road. The Lakers sit seventh in the Western Conference at 18-14.
Blazers injury report vs. Lakers on Thursday, January 2
Portland announced its injury report on X (formerly Twitter). Here is what it looks like:
- Dalano Banton: Available (left hip contusion)
- Jerami Grant: Out (face contusion)
- Matisse Thybulle: Out (right ankle sprain)
Update: Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 reports that Banton is available.
Banton and Grant both haven't played since the Blazers' Dec. 23 matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. With Grant out, expect Chauncey Billups to roll out the same starting lineup they had in their most recent loss to the 76ers: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Deandre Ayton.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
Here is Los Angeles' injury report:
- Anthony Davis: Out (left ankle sprain)
- Gabe Vincent: Out (left oblique strain)
- Jalen Hood-Schifino: Out (left hamstring strain)
- Jarred Vanderbilt: Out (right foot surgery recovery)
- Christian Wood: Out (left knee surgery recovery)
Update: Anthony Davis and Gabe Vincent are both officially out, per Blazers insider Casey Holdahl. Jaxson Hayes will start in place of Davis.
Davis and LeBron James (illness) were questionable in their Dec. 31 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but both were able to play in that contest, which they lost 122-110.
James is officially off the injury report for the Lakers and will play in his first game against the Blazers this season after missing their Dec. 8 matchup due to left foot soreness. Despite James' absence, the Lakers won that game 107 - 98. Portland had no answer for Davis on either side of the ball, who recorded 30 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and two steals.
If the Blazers want to start out 2025 with a win, they must shoot the three-ball better. In their first matchup, Los Angeles made 13 of 34 (38.2 percent), while Portland connected on just nine of 36 (25 percent). The fact that they are on the road doesn't help their chances. This year, Portland shoots 35.2 percent from three at home, which dips to 31.1 percent on the road.