Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Los Angeles Clippers? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star’s injury report (January 22, 2026) | NBA News
Luka Doncic will play tonight when the Los Angeles Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers on January 22, 2026. He is not listed on the injury report and is expected to handle his usual workload for the Lakers.This game comes at an important point for both teams. The Lakers are in the middle of a long road trip and need steady wins to keep pace in the Western Conference. The Clippers, meanwhile, are one of the league’s hottest teams and are trying to protect home court in a building they are still settling into.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers game setup (January 22, 2026)
The matchup tips off around 7:00 PM local time at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. These teams last met on December 20, when the Clippers controlled the game from start to finish in a 103-88 win. That result helped end a rough stretch and sparked a 13-3 run that has reshaped their season.The Lakers arrive with momentum of their own. They are coming off a 115-107 comeback win over Denver, a game in which they erased a 14-point halftime deficit. It was another reminder that they can close games when their stars are on the floor.
Luka Doncic Driving the Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic has been central to everything the Lakers do offensively. He is leading the league in scoring at around 33.5 points per game while also ranking among the team leaders in rebounds and assists. Against Denver, he finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, his fifth triple-double of the season.His performances against the Clippers this year show how unpredictable this matchup can be. In one meeting, he was held in check and finished with just 14 combined points and assists. In another, he exploded for 56 points. How the Clippers defend him tonight will likely shape the game.
Injury Situation for Both Teams
The Los Angeles Lakers will have Luka Doncic and LeBron James available. James scored 19 points against Denver, his lowest total this month. The supporting cast is thinner, with Austin Reaves out due to a calf injury and Ad Thiero also unavailable.The Clippers are dealing with more absences. Kawhi Leonard is listed as probable with a knee contusion. Bojan Bogdanović is out with a hamstring injury, Derrick Jones Jr. is sidelined with an ACL sprain, and Bradley Beal is out for the season. With those players missing, James Harden has taken on more responsibility, averaging 28.2 points during the team’s recent run. John Collins has also stepped up, averaging 15.2 points.Also read: Is LeBron James playing tonight vs the Los Angeles Clippers? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star’s injury report (January 22, 2026)
What to Watch in Tonight’s Lakers vs Clippers Game
The Clippers have momentum but limited depth. The Lakers rely heavily on their top two players to manage tight games. Doncic is projected to finish below 41.5 points plus assists, but recent games suggest he could push past that if the Lakers need scoring late. In a rivalry this familiar, execution in the final minutes may decide it.
