Luka, LeBron get the Lakers back into form in a 110-93 victory over the Raptors

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 25 points and seven assists, LeBron James added 24 points and seven assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers returned to form with a 110-93 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 13 rebounds in his impressive return from a knee injury for the Lakers, who won for just the second time in seven games while playing their final home game before an eight-game, 15-day road trip.

Ayton had his highest-scoring performance since Nov. 3 while making all 10 of his shots.

Doncic also returned with a strong performance after missing Saturday’s loss at Portland to rest his nagging injuries, hitting five 3-pointers.

James played in back-to-back games for the second time this season — and the second time this week, capably completing a set of five games in seven days for the 41-year-old superstar who had previously been resting for one game in back-to-back sets.

Scottie Barnes had 22 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time in four weeks after the Clippers beat them in Toronto on Friday. Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 20 points and former Lakers draft pick Brandon Ingram added 19 points and seven assists for Toronto, which faded in the fourth quarter in the opener of a five-game road trip.

Neither team managed a double-digit lead until the Lakers surged ahead 91-80 on back-to-back buckets by James to begin the fourth quarter. Los Angeles took control shortly afterward with nine straight points while holding Toronto scoreless for 3 1/2 minutes.

Doncic got his 12th technical foul of the season in the first half for arguing. That's the second-most in the NBA, trailing only Phoenix's Dillon Brooks.

Raptors: At Golden State on Tuesday night.

Lakers: At Denver on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) reacts to a call by officials during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes up for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Deni Avdija had 26 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in his return from a back injury to help the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 117-110 on Sunday night.

Avdija missed three games after straining his lower back late in a game against New York last Sunday. He looked fine while helping Portland to its ninth victory in 12 games, going 10 of 18 from the floor in 31 minutes.

Shaedon Sharpe also had 26 points, and Donovan Clingan added 21 points and 17 rebounds. Toumani Camara had 17 points as the Trail Blazers won their third consecutive game against the Kings this season.

The Trail Blazers have won 12 of 15 games to get back to .500 at 22-22 for the first time since they were 6-6 on Nov. 11.

Malik Monk scored 23 points for the Kings, while Russell Westbrook added 20 points and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis had eight points and six turnovers for the Kings in his second game since missing 27 games because of a knee injury.

Sacramento won the first four games on its homestand. The Kings are 12-31.

Portland led by 14, then held on after the Kings got to 95-86 early in the fourth quarter. Clingan had seven points over the final nine minutes.

Playing the second half of a back-to-back the Trail Blazers were without Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III due to injury management.

Trail Blazers: Host Miami on Thursday night.

Kings: Host Miami on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes for a layup during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) reacts after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes for a layup against Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) dribbles past Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook, back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)