Gabe Vincent
Getty
Lakers' Gabe Vincent during a game against the Chicago Bulls in March 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers’ injury situation appears to be moving in a more encouraging direction, with Gabe Vincent returning to action and Rui Hachimura edging closer to a comeback.
In Wednesday night’s 107-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, which snapped a three-game winning streak, Vincent appeared for the first time in nine games after missing time with a lower back injury.
He finished with six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 18 minutes, logging two assists in his return.
Hachimura, meanwhile, did not travel with the team on their current two-game road trip but was assigned to the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, on Wednesday.
Around the league, such assignments are commonly viewed as a positive step in the recovery process, often signaling that a return to game action is approaching.
The expectation is that Hachimura could be back as soon as January 10 against the Milwaukee Bucks, a timeline that now appears increasingly realistic.
However, despite Vincent’s return, his role and availability remain something to monitor closely.
Lakers Continue to Monitor Vincent’s Recovery
Following the loss to San Antonio, Vincent spoke positively about how his body responded while also stressing caution moving forward.
“It felt good to get out there and get some run,” he said. “It felt good to get back out there and compete, and play with the guys. Going through my minutes, handled them well. Body feels good so far, so I’ll take it.”
“I’m confident I’ll be back. But obviously, we’ll see how the body feels after the flight but I think it’ll do well.”
Air travel can often lead to flare-ups due to pressure changes, muscle tightness, or swelling, making Vincent’s cautious tone unsurprising. Through 15 games this season, the 29-year-old is averaging 4.8 points and 1.5 assists in 21.3 minutes per game while shooting 33.8% from the field.
The game itself came on the second night of a back-to-back, with 41-year-old LeBron James sitting out due to arthritis and sciatica.
Luka Doncic carried the load in his absence, recording a 38-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, though it was not enough for a Lakers team missing three starters.
Austin Reaves remains sidelined while recovering from a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain.
Injuries Force Rotation Adjustments
Persistent injuries throughout the season have forced the Lakers to dig deeper into their rotation.
With Hachimura sidelined, Jake LaRavia has been elevated into the starting lineup and responded with 21 and 26-point performances in back-to-back wins over the Memphis Grizzlies to open the new year.
Against San Antonio, LaRavia added 16 points and seven rebounds while knocking down four three-pointers, continuing his strong stretch of play. His impact has extended beyond scoring, as he’s recorded 10 steals across the five games Hachimura has missed.
Those contributions have been vital for a team struggling to maintain continuity. Frequent lineup changes and inconsistent availability have placed a premium on players who can influence games through defensive activity, effort, and decision-making rather than relying solely on offensive output.
“I told him in front of the group after the game, particularly in that first half, his aggressiveness and confidence was really good for us,” said head coach JJ Redick following LaRavia’s standout performances against Memphis.
“The thing that we’ve tried to really instill and coach him on all season is 0.5 decision-making, being catch-and-shoot ready.”
“If you are attacking a closeout and you have an advantage, maintain the advantage. Both of those things require confidence and requires aggressiveness. Just a fantastic game from him. Another good game from him defensively as well with deflections and being disruptive.”
While LaRavia has capitalized on his opportunity, Redick has consistently emphasized team-wide that earning minutes during this stretch comes down to effort and two-way impact.
Following the loss to the Spurs, the Lakers sit at 23-12, fourth in the Western Conference, one game behind the Denver Nuggets in third and two games back of San Antonio in second, with the Oklahoma City Thunder holding a comfortable lead at the top of the standings.