Tough Gabe Vincent scene after Kings game dampens Lakers’ win
The Los Angeles Lakers have been grappling with numerous injury issues at the start of the season. LeBron James is already sidelined as he deals with sciatica, missing the opening games of the campaign. Following their recent win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, Luka Doncic also joined James on the injured list after suffering multiple injuries that will keep him out for more than a week.
Despite these setbacks, the Lakers managed to stay on a winning streak. Austin Reaves delivered a career-best performance, scoring 51 points to lead the team to a 127-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. His outstanding effort has certainly lifted the spirits in the locker room.
However, the good vibes were somewhat dampened during the Kings game when Gabe Vincent had to leave early due to an ankle injury. To make matters worse, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Vincent was seen wearing a protective boot on his left foot. This development suggests that the veteran guard could face a multi-game absence.
The Lakers’ depth will certainly be tested this early in the season. It will be crucial for the remaining healthy players to step up and hold down the fort as the team awaits the return of key contributors. Vincent played just 19 minutes before exiting the game against the Kings, and it remains unclear who head coach JJ Redick will rely on to fill his minutes.
Marcus Smart may see increased playing time, but given his history of injuries over the past few seasons, it might not be wise to push him too hard this early in the campaign.
### Austin Reaves Keeps the Injury-Ravaged Lakers Afloat
Any team missing its two best players would struggle to win, especially on the road. However, the Lakers’ unconventional roster construction is paying dividends in these tough times. While pairing Luka Doncic with multiple ball handlers might not always work, Austin Reaves’ ability to take over as a one-man offense has proven invaluable when injuries strike.
Reaves’ 51-point outing came on an efficient 12-for-22 shooting from the field — an extraordinary feat for any player, let alone an undrafted guard overlooked by 29 other NBA teams. At 27 years old and approaching a new contract, no one should be surprised if Reaves’ next deal is worth around $35 million per year.
As the Lakers navigate this challenging stretch, Austin Reaves looks poised to be a key piece in keeping the team competitive and hopeful for a strong return of their star players soon.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-tough-gabe-vincent-scene-after-kings-game-dampens-las-win
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