The Lakers’ guard rotation continues to drop like flies, as the team announced a concerning update to veteran contributor Gabe Vincent.
Injury Woes Continue for Lakers Veteran Guard
Reports: Vincent Out with Back Tightness
Vincent will miss at least one week due to “lower back tightness,” according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. The 29-year-old is the second Lakers guard to go down with an injury as of late, with Austin Reaves already nursing a calf strain.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent has been diagnosed with lower back tightness. Vincent will be re-evaluated in approximately one week, the team says
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 18, 2025
Vincent has been relatively underwhelming since he joined the Lakers in 2023. Across 97 games (17 starts), he has averaged 5.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists on .386/.336/.767 splits. His tenure has been marred with several ailments, from midseason knee surgery in late December 2023 to a left ankle sprain this past October, which kept him out for 11 games. In 14 appearances this year (21.5 minutes), he put up 4.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists on .350/.362/1.000 splits.
With Vincent sidelined and Marcus Smart already starting, it leaves the Lakers’ bench in a major predicament. Two-way contract guard Nick Smith Jr. has turned heads in nine games—averaging 7.8 points and 1.6 assists on 46% shooting from the field and 48% from three—so there’s a chance head coach JJ Redick calls his number soon. Bronny James, who played with LA’s G League affiliate Tuesday night, could also be recalled out of necessity.
Lakers Injury Report vs. Utah Jazz – Dec. 18, 6 p.m. PT
The Lakers are missing Reaves, Vincent, and Deandre Ayton (elbow) ahead of tonight’s road clash against the Utah Jazz. That could lead to some interesting decisions with yet another shorthanded rotation.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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