The Los Angeles Lakers are unable to catch a break to begin a pivotal 2025-26 NBA season.
With both Luka Dončić and LeBron James sidelined for an extended period with a finger sprain and sciatica, respectively, the banged-up, legendary duo will be joined on the pine by five other Lakers prior to their upcoming matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Of the five names also ruled out for the contest against a young, energetic Trail Blazers squad, their 3-time All-Defensive First Team selection and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart is the latest to join the club, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"Add Marcus Smart to the injury list for the Lakers tonight," McMenamin shared via X/Twitter on Monday.
"They will only have seven active players, plus their three two-way contracts available vs. POR."
Though Smart has not been lighting the world on fire in his debut season with the storied franchise, his subtraction from the lineup removes yet another reliable ball-handler from head coach JJ Redick's list of options.
In his first three appearances for the Lakers to begin the new season, Smart has contributed 7.7 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals on a putrid 46.9% effective field goal percentage.
Unfortunately, Smart has also taken a massive step backwards from a defensive aspect, as evidenced by a disastrous -1.8 defensive box plus-minus and 120 defensive rating per 100 possessions.
Sure, the 2025-26 campaign has been a struggle on both ends for the ex-Boston Celtics star, but his presence would have assured Redick that he'd have at least one other experienced ball-handler ready to take the floor alongside Austin Reaves.
With Smart now taking a seat on the bench, Redick's backcourt options have seemed to vanished in a moment's notice.
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