The Los Angeles Lakers have been banged up the past few weeks as several rotation players like Gabe Vincent have been sidelined due to injuries.
Vincent has missed time recently due to a lower back injury, though he also suffered an ankle injury earlier in the 2025-26 season that also forced him out of the lineup as well. It’s been a frustrating season for the veteran guard thus far as he has yet to build a consistent rhythm with the rest of the roster.
In Vincent’s absence, head coach JJ Redick has given out extended minutes to players like Nick Smith Jr. and even Dalton Knecht. Vincent is a reliable team defender who can catch fire on any given night, offering a steadying presence off the bench.
While Redick announced Vincent will remain out on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, he offered an encouraging update on when he might be able to rejoin the team.
“Hoping to practice tomorrow. Will be modified. He won’t be available Sunday and we’re hoping he’s available for one of the games on the road trip. But again, we gotta get him exposure to live play, and with the travel day on Monday, that’s gonna be tough,” Redick said of Vincent.
Following Los Angeles’ game on Sunday, they’ll hit the road for a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs. Given that the travel day on Monday complicates things, it feels like it would make the most sense for Vincent to play on Wednesday against the Spurs.
Getting Vincent back at some point next week would be big for a Lakers squad that needs a shot in the arm from someone in the lineup. There have been several lackadaisical losses the past few weeks, so Redick having more options to play off the bench can only help.
The Lakers have been overly cautious with players coming back from injury, so even when Vincent returns he’ll likely be on a minutes restriction. Still, any minutes Vincent can absorb would help as the team desperately needs another perimeter defender and outside shooter to spring Luka Doncic and LeBron James free.
Gabe Vincent praises JJ Redick and coaching staff
Chemistry is often overlooked when it comes to building championship-caliber teams, so the Lakers did a good job to retain several players from last year’s roster. Vincent believes this current group has their feet on them more and he praised Redick and the rest of Los Angeles’ coaching staff for getting their message across effectively.
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