The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that veteran guard Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain) is out for Tuesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after originally being listed as questionable. This will be the ninth consecutive game Vincent has missed with the back issue and he has not suited up since the Lakers’ Dec. 14 win over the Phoenix Suns.
This is the second long stretch of games Vincent has missed this season due to injury as an ankle issue forced him to miss 10 games earlier this year. Vincent had been a trusted member of JJ Redick’s rotation this year as a solid defender and reliable shooter, but injuries continue to derail his ability to make an impact for this team.
Vincent did return to practice over the weekend and there remains optimism that he will be able to return on this quick two-game road trip. This contest against the Pelicans is the first in a back-to-back with the Lakers traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, so it is possible Vincent could suit up in the second game.
With Austin Reaves still out due to his calf issue, and rookie Adou Thiero also being sidelined with an MCL sprain, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is being tested right now. Marcus Smart has stepped into the starting lineup, while two-way player Nick Smith Jr. has been the main guard coming off the bench. Redick has also given Dalton Knecht some minutes in the last couple of games in hopes of giving the Lakers offense a bit of a shot in the arm.
Additionally, forward Rui Hachimura won’t be suiting up on this road trip due to his own calf injury, so the Lakers are thin all around and even more reliant on Luka Doncic and LeBron James to carry this team offensively. Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt have done a great job stepping up recently, but this team sorely needs some good injury news soon.
Vincent does seem close to returning to the court soon and hopefully he will be able to give this team a boost on both ends of the court when he does.
JJ Redick believes Lakers did better job of getting Deandre Ayton touches
Being without Reaves and Hachimura has taken a toll on the Lakers offense, but one player who could help is big man Deandre Ayton, although his touches have been inconsistent. But Redick believes the team did a better job of getting him involved offensively in their last game.
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