The Los Angeles Lakers are listing Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) as doubtful and Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) and Adou Thiero (left knee soreness) as questionable for the team’s game on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. Both Smart and Hachimura sat out the Lakers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.
Both players picked up the injuries in the victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday. Hachimura actually exited the game in the third quarter with his calf issue while Smart finished the contest, delivering the inbounds pass to Luke Kennard for the game-winning 3-pointer. Head coach JJ Redick noted that neither injury is serious and both are considered day-to-day going forward.
The Lakers felt their absence against the Pistons as Smart has been the tone-setter for this team with his defense, energy and attitude. He is the point-of-attack defender for the Lakers and has regularly made big-time plays in crucial moments.
Meanwhile, Hachimura has been the team’s most consistent scorer off the bench and the Lakers’ best 3-point shooter at 43.8% from deep for the season.
With both out, head coach JJ Redick inserted Jake LaRavia into the starting lineup against the Pistons for his defense, with Jarred Vanderbilt sliding into the rotation as well. Both were solid in the contest and bring great energy as well, though neither can replace the secondary playmaking of Smart or the shooting of Hachimura.
If Smart and Hachimura can’t go in the final game of this road trip for the Lakers it would make sense that Redick would employ the same rotation changes. Although, it is worth noting that he gave Thiero a quick look in the first half in Detroit, but his status is now in jeopardy as well. Veteran Maxi Kleber could also be someone Redick turns to as he has delivered many times when called upon.
The Lakers have an opportunity to go 5-1 on this road trip should they take down a Pacers team that is tied for the worst record in the NBA. But the Pacers did pick up a win in their last game, putting an end to their 16-game losing streak.
JJ Redick talks Marcus Smart’s importance to Lakers’ success
Marcus Smart has been perhaps the most unsung hero of the Lakers’ turnaround this season, being the team’s defensive leader. But Lakers coach JJ Redick understands how important he is to this team’s success and spoke about how much the team missed him against the Pistons.
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