Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, January 24 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Lakers about a 90% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 90%, with a projected score of Washington Wizards 108, Los Angeles Lakers 122. The rating gap is 283 points in favor of the Lakers, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 10 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Wizards are 2-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -6. The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, AJ Dybantsa (WAS), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026, and Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Walker Kessler (LAL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Lakers lead 4-0, with the Lakers outscoring the Wizards by an average of 27.8 points per game. The last meeting was WAS 101, LAL 120.