Lamar Odom Arrested in Las Vegas on DUI, Faces Multiple Charges
Former NBA standout Lamar Odom was arrested in Las Vegas on January 17, 2026, on suspicion of driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations, according to court records and law enforcement sources. The 46-year-old former Lakers champion was pulled over early Saturday morning and booked in Clark County, where he was accused of operating a vehicle while impaired, driving at least 41 miles per hour over the speed limit and failing to maintain his travel lane.
Police say the Nevada Highway Patrol made the stop in the early hours, and Odom was taken into custody before being booked at the Clark County Detention Center. He was released but is scheduled to appear in court on March 17, 2026, to answer to the DUI and related traffic charges.
A Career Full of Highs and Lows
Odom made his name in the NBA with a productive 14-year career that included stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks. He was a key piece of the Lakers’ back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010, known for his versatility, size and playmaking ability as a forward.
Off the court, Odom’s struggles with addiction and personal turmoil have played out publicly for years. He has been open about his battles with substance abuse, including a widely reported near-fatal overdose in 2015 at a Nevada brothel that left him in a coma and fighting for his life. Odom detailed the harrowing experience and his efforts to recover in his memoir Darkness to Light and in interviews over the past decade.
In 2013, he was previously arrested on DUI charges in California, resulting in probation, fines and an alcohol education program as part of his sentence. Despite periods of sobriety and public reflections on his past, this latest arrest suggests he continues to wrestle with the lingering effects of his long-running battle with substance abuse.
The Las Vegas Arrest and Charges
Court documents show that in addition to the DUI count, Odom also faces two traffic violations: speeding more than 41 miles per hour above the posted limit and an improper lane change/failure to maintain lane. These add to the seriousness of the arrest and could carry penalties beyond the DUI charge itself.
At the time of arrest, Odom was booked and processed by law enforcement. While the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has not released an official statement, the Clark County court system indicates his next court appearance is set for mid-March.
A Public Struggle Continues
Fans and commentators alike have reacted to news of the arrest with a mix of sympathy and concern, acknowledging Odom’s well-documented history with addiction while also underscoring the seriousness of driving under the influence. Some have pointed out that in an era of rideshares and alternative transportation options, such legal issues are avoidable — especially for someone with the resources of a former professional athlete.
Odom’s past — including highly publicized moments of vulnerability, recovery and relapse — paints a complex picture of a former basketball star striving to maintain stability while grappling with deep-seated challenges. His journey has been marked by triumph, tragedy and public scrutiny, and this latest incident adds another chapter to that ongoing story.
What Comes Next
As Odom awaits his March 17 court date, questions will likely continue about how he will address these latest charges and whether this arrest will prompt renewed efforts toward long-term support and recovery. For now, the spotlight is back on a figure whose life after basketball has been as dramatic and unpredictable as his days on the hardwood.
