Lakers guard Marcus Smart
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Lakers' Marcus Smart during a game against the Phoenix Suns in February 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with their share of injuries this season, leading to frequent changes in both the rotation and starting lineup.
Just as the team appeared to be returning to full health with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves all available, another wave of injuries disrupted the roster.
James missed three consecutive games due to a hip contusion and left foot arthritis but returned in Thursday night’s victory over the Chicago Bulls.
However, key rotation players Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes, along with Maxi Kleber, have also been sidelined, leaving the Lakers shorthanded.
Lakers Receive Encouraging Injury Update Before Nuggets Matchup
Ahead of Saturday’s important Western Conference matchup against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers received a positive update with James absent from the latest injury report.
The 41-year-old appears to have recovered from his recent setbacks and is expected to feature in his second straight game.
Meanwhile, Hayes has missed the last two contests with back soreness, adding to the Lakers’ recent injury concerns.
The seven-footer is listed as probable for the Nuggets game, suggesting a return to action could be imminent.
Through 54 games this season, Hayes is averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting a career-high 75.2% from the field.
He has played 17.7 minutes per game and has emerged as an important contributor in a backup role behind Deandre Ayton, whose form has fluctuated throughout the season.
Kleber, meanwhile, has appeared in just two games this month, most recently on March 8 in the win over the New York Knicks.
The 34-year-old remains sidelined and is set to miss the matchup against Denver.
Marcus Smart Return Strengthens Los Angeles’ Rotation
The Lakers also received another boost to their rotation with Smart upgraded to available and no longer listed on the injury report.
The former Defensive Player of the Year has been cleared to play after missing the Bulls game with a hip injury.
His return provides an important lift for the Lakers as they pursue their fifth straight victory.
“Smart, I think has starred in his role for what we need from him consistently throughout the year,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently said. “He’s, I think, played great basketball throughout the last 5-6 weeks and that starts on the defensive end.”
“He’s been tremendous for us defensively. And look, there were a couple points there where you kind of felt the energy of the group starting to wane, and he makes a big defensive play, gets a steal to go out in transition, we score and they call timeout.”
Through 55 games in his first season with Los Angeles, Smart is averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.9% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range.
The Lakers are currently riding a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last eight games as they build momentum at a crucial point in the season.
The Western Conference standings remain tightly packed, with Los Angeles sitting fourth at 41-25.
While the Lakers are level with the Houston Rockets in third place, the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves remain just half a game behind in fifth and sixth, respectively, making Saturday’s matchup even more significant.