The Los Angeles Lakers’ latest signing has the potential to be an extremely impactful one in wing Matisse Thybulle. He has proven himself to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league since he entered the NBA and is a two-time Second Team All-Defense selection.
However, recently he has dealt with multiple injuries that have limited him to just 45 games total over the past two seasons. Having concerns about his recent injury history is understandable, but as it currently stands, Thybulle is completely healthy going into next season, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
The source said Thybulle is currently fully healthy.
Knee inflammation and surgery to clear that up caused Thybulle to miss the beginning of the 2025 season and then a severe ankle sprain, which also included a torn ligament, suffered as he was rehabbing ultimately forced him to miss 67 games that year. Last season, a torn UCL in his left thumb was the major issue, but he also developed right knee tendinopathy while recovering from that surgery, ultimately missing 52 games total in the 2025-26 season.
The number and severity of injuries is undoubtedly concerning, but Thybulle did play in at least 65 games in each of his first five years in the NBA so the belief is that he has put these issues behind him and can now get back to doing what he does best.
Thybulle is an extremely versatile defender who creates turnovers and is constantly active with deflections, steals and even blocks. He won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior in college at the University of Washington and broke the Pac-12 record for both single season and career steals and has averaged 1.6 steals per game in his NBA career.
Perhaps even more encouraging is the strives he has made as a shooter recently. While he has played in just 45 games the last two seasons, he has shot the ball very well from deep when he has been on the court. In 2025 he shot 43.8% from 3-point range and last season knocked down 39.8% on over three attempts per game each year. If he can maintain that level of accuracy over the course of an entire season and stay healthy, Thybulle will be in for a huge year for the Lakers.
Matisse Thybulle spoke with JJ Redick and Luka Doncic before signing with Lakers
Thybulle surely had some suitors in free agency, especially as he finally seems to be healthy now. But he ultimately chose to join the Lakers after speaking both with head coach JJ Redick and superstar guard Luka Doncic.
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