The Lakers host the 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET.
The Lakers come in at 30-19 (5th in the West) and they’re 12-8 at home. The 76ers are 29-21 (6th in the East) and 14-8 on the road, so this is a legit “good team vs good team” spot, not a schedule win.
The 76ers just handled the Warriors 113-94 on Tuesday, while the Lakers beat the Nets 125-109.
The season series is already tilted: the Lakers lead 1-0 after taking the first meeting 112-108.
For the Lakers, it starts with Luka Doncic (33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.7 assists) putting constant stress on every coverage, plus Deandre Ayton (13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds) giving them a simple, high-efficiency interior outlet.
For the 76ers, the engine is Tyrese Maxey (28.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists), and the ceiling swings hard on Joel Embiid (26.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists) depending on whether he’s able to go.
And yes, the game needs the context: the 76ers are walking in right after dealing Jared McCain to the Thunder, which is basically a “win-now roster shaping” move in the middle of a heater.
Injury Report
Lakers
Jaxson Hayes: Out (league suspension)
Adou Thiero: Out (right MCL sprain)
76ers
Paul George: Out (league suspension)
Jared McCain: Out (not with team)
Joel Embiid: Questionable (right knee; injury management)
Why The Lakers Have The Advantage
The first edge is shot creation that doesn’t rely on “system luck.” Doncic is a one-man possession solver, and the Lakers’ offense is already basically even with the 76ers on raw scoring (116.3 points per game vs 116.8). That matters because if this gets tight late, the Lakers have the cleanest half-court bailout option on the floor.
Second, the Lakers’ efficiency profile is sharper. They’re at 50.0% from the field compared to the 76ers at 46.0%, and that’s usually the difference between “good offense” and “you left points on the table.”
Third, the series context helps. They already won the first meeting (112-108), and now they’re at home with a chance to put real separation between “same tier” teams.
Why The 76ers Have The Advantage
The 76ers’ edge is activity and disruption. They’re forcing more chaos events: 9.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game, both higher than the Lakers (8.3 steals, 4.0 blocks). If they can turn this into a turnover and transition game, that’s how you steal a road win.
They also have a small but real rebounding edge (43.8 rebounds per game to 41.3), and that matters because the Lakers’ offense is at its best when it’s getting set and picking matchups, not when it’s giving up second chances.
And if Embiid plays, the entire matchup changes. Even at less than peak volume this season, his presence forces double decisions that open clean looks for Maxey.
X-Factors
For the Lakers, Austin Reaves is the swing piece because he turns Doncic’s advantage into something that feels unfair. Reaves is putting up 26.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and if he wins the secondary creator battle, the 76ers can’t just sell out to Doncic without getting shredded on the next pass.
Rui Hachimura is the other one. He’s at 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds, and his job is simple: punish the 76ers when they load up and make the “help” defender pay. If Hachimura hits early shots, the floor opens, and the Lakers’ offense stops having empty possessions.
For the 76ers, Kelly Oubre Jr. matters because he’s the one wing who can create a little mess without needing a perfect play call. He’s at 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and if he’s truly available and moving well, that’s the exact kind of slashing/transition juice that can swing a road game.
Andre Drummond is the possession guy. He’s only at 6.9 points, but he’s grabbing 8.8 rebounds, and if he tilts the glass minutes, the 76ers can keep pressure on the Lakers even when the offense stalls.
Prediction
I’m taking the Lakers, mostly because the efficiency gap and the home advantage line up well with how they want to play, and because the 76ers are carrying too much day-to-day uncertainty at the top with Embiid’s status.
If the 76ers don’t get their usual star leverage, they’re basically betting on chaos (steals, blocks, extra possessions) to win it. That’s real, but it’s harder to bank on than Doncic’s shot creation at home.
Prediction: Lakers 118, 76ers 112
