Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent has made a strong statement as the team prepares for the 2025-26 season. The Lakers are set to open their season against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PT. However, the team will be missing key players including 21-time All-NBA superstar LeBron James, who is dealing with right side sciatica.
Additionally, rookie Adou Thiero is recovering from knee surgery and Maxi Kleber is sidelined due to an oblique strain. Despite a challenging preseason where the Lakers registered just one win in six games, Vincent remains optimistic about the team’s potential. It’s noteworthy that James missed all of the preseason and other stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were rested strategically.
Gabe Vincent’s Commitment to the Lakers
Vincent expressed his dedication to the Lakers in an interview with The Athletic. “I’m all in on Laker basketball. I’m all in on this team,” he stated, emphasizing his readiness to contribute fully this season. The 29-year-old guard intends to bring his best effort to the court in pursuit of victory.
Vincent’s Role and Performance
Vincent joined the Lakers on a three-year contract worth $33 million after a notable playoff performance with the Miami Heat in 2023. Unfortunately, due to injuries, his first year with the Lakers saw him participating in only 11 games. However, he remained mostly healthy during the 2024-25 season, which he completed in 72 regular season games.
- Average points: 6.4
- Shooting splits: 40% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 71.4% FT
- Assists per game: 1.4
- Rebounds per game: 1.3
- Steals per game: 0.7
In the playoffs, Vincent saw his numbers drop considerably, averaging only 2.8 points per game. His role shifted more towards defense, focusing on point-of-attack situations.
Defensive Strategy
This season, Vincent will join forces with forward Jarred Vanderbilt and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to strengthen the Lakers’ perimeter defense. Given the challenges posed by opposing scorers like James, Reaves, and Doncic, their performance will be crucial for the team’s success.
As the Lakers gear up for their opener, Gabe Vincent’s strong statement reinforces the commitment required to navigate the upcoming season, despite the setbacks they currently face.
