The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025-26 NBA season without LeBron James. Then, Luka Doncic joined the injury report with a finger sprain and a leg contusion. Those are two of the Lakers' main ball handlers and initiators on the offensive end. The troubles have not stopped there.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that Gabe Vincent was spotted in a walking boot after exiting early from the Lakers' competitive 127-120 ball game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Vincent played 19 minutes, scoring three points, adding one rebound, one assist, and one steal.
The good news was that McMenamin also noted x-rays on the left ankle of the Lakers guard came back negative. That should mean any absence from Vincent will not be a long one.
Even so, the Lakers were already growing thin in their options for on-ball duties. Any injuries would have been a tough blow for Los Angeles. This one, specifically, is going to be an instance where the Lakers are going to hope for a very speedy recovery.
Vincent injury sidelines crucial role player just when Lakers needed him most
Vincent has not been Mr. Reliable for the Lakers during his time in Los Angeles by any means. However, a strong preseason led to JJ Redick having some faith in him as a starter while James recovers from his sciatica injury.
Schematically, the move did make sense. Redick specifically referenced Vincent's impact as a ball-handler and defender when finalizing that decision ahead of the preseason finale for the Lakers.
Here's what JJ Redick said last night about Gabe Vincent with the starters. Seems to be a matchup-based decision for Steph and the Warriors on Opening Night with him not committing to anything beyond the first game.
"I don't know anything about who I'm going to be starting the… https://t.co/zvrSEonZcQ
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 18, 2025
There is little turnaround time for the next matchup after the outing against the Kings. The Lakers will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night as a part of a back-to-back.
Assuming the absence of the veteran guard for such a quick return to the court, Redick will not only need to decide who replaces Vincent in the starting lineup, but figure out who supplements Austin Reaves in creating for the offense. The Lakers are quickly running thin on those options.
Los Angeles needed a ridiculous performance from Reaves to beat the Kings by seven points on Sunday. The burden, which was already heavy, has only grown that much more troublesome for the talented offensive guard.
In terms of handling the ball, one would imagine Marcus Smart gets more offensive sets as a creator. Extra post touches for the likes of Deandre Ayton or Rui Hachimura could be on the menu as well.
However, one of the Lakers young guards should be expected to get an extended opportunity off the bench. Whether it be Bronny James, Chris Manon, or Nick Smith Jr., they will need the extra boost of offense.
The Lakers are growing more and more snake-bitten as the new season gets underway. The medical staff in Los Angeles is quickly being tasked with some major challenges to ensure the franchise does not dig themselves a hole to climb out of in a brutal Western Conference.