Lakers vs Washington Wizards Game Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers continue their eight-game road trip tonight against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Los Angeles looks to rebound from a lopsided loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers while facing a struggling Wizards team mired in the Eastern Conference basement.
With L.A. aiming to climb the standings, this matchup offers a chance to regain momentum.
The Lakers MIGHT get Austin Reaves back for the first time since Christmas 👀🚨
Tonight is a perfect opportunity to bounce back, especially with the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back 🙏 pic.twitter.com/54paSPo3M3
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 30, 2026
Coming Off a Loss to the Cavaliers
The Lakers suffered a 129-99 blowout defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, dropping to 3-2 on their grueling road swing. Despite a competitive first half, L.A. collapsed in the second, allowing Cleveland to shoot well from the field while committing too many turnovers.
Luka Doncic led with 29 points and six assists, but the bench did not contribute that much offensively. Defensive lapses and poor rebounding exposed vulnerabilities, turning a winnable game into a 30-point rout.
Austin Reaves Out
Austin Reaves has been ruled out for tonight. Reaves has been out since Christmas Day and has been looking to return soon. The sharpshooting guard remains sidelined, extending his absence and forcing adjustments in L.A.’s backcourt.
Redick says Reaves has not had any setbacks, he has continued to progress and just reached the five-week mark since the injury. https://t.co/7fQtw66ASr
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 30, 2026
Reaves’ off-ball movement and secondary creation have been missed, especially in close contests. With him out, Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent will continue to see their expanded roles. At the same time, the load increases on Doncic and LeBron James for playmaking and scoring.
Matchup Against Wizards
The Wizards have struggled mightily this season, ranking near the bottom in defensive rating and allowing opponents to shoot freely from the field. L.A. has dominated recent meetings, winning six of the last seven.
Key battles include Doncic exploiting switches against Keyonte George and Ayton containing Alex Sarr inside. With Washington on a two-game win streak, the Lakers must capitalize on transition and limit turnovers to secure a comfortable win.
