Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent has been sidelined for two to four weeks due to a sprained left ankle. This diagnosis followed an MRI conducted on Monday after Vincent suffered the injury during the third quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers secured a 127-120 victory in that matchup.
Gabe Vincent’s Injury Details
After the injury, Vincent left the arena in a walking boot. Fortunately, post-game X-rays showed no fractures. However, he arrived at Crypto.com Arena on crutches for the Lakers’ following game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Impact on the Team
- Vincent, aged 29, had been a starter in the absence of LeBron James, who is dealing with sciatica.
- He performed impressively during the preseason, averaging 16.3 points and shooting 47.4% from the field.
- The Lakers faced additional challenges against Portland, as several key players were also absent.
Other Injuries Affecting the Lakers
With Vincent and James out, the team struggled with depth. Marcus Smart was sidelined due to a right quad contusion, while Luka Doncic missed games because of a finger sprain and lower leg contusion. Additionally, Jaxson Hayes was unavailable due to left patellar tendinopathy. Key players like Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero also remained out for the season due to injuries.
Player Performances and Game Strategy
Amidst these absences, Austin Reaves stepped up significantly, scoring a career-high 51 points against the Kings. Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team’s need to avoid overly relying on individual performances, stating that expectations should align with individual capabilities. Redick also noted the focus was on maintaining a competitive edge.
Starting Lineup Changes
The Lakers had a limited roster, featuring only seven full-time players and three on two-way contracts. They deployed a different starting lineup for the third time in four games, comprising:
- Austin Reaves
- Deandre Ayton
- Rui Hachimura
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Jake LaRavia
The Lakers are navigating a challenging start to the season, hoping for quick recoveries for their sidelined players, including Gabe Vincent.
