Lakers Face Key Injuries, Coach Redick Offers Hope for Smart, Hayes

The Los Angeles Lakers are grappling with significant injuries early in the 2025 season, sidelining stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic for at least another week, and key contributors like Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart also out due to ankle and quad injuries respectively. Head coach JJ Redick expressed hope that Smart and Jaxson Hayes, another injured player, might return soon, but acknowledged the team's struggles without sufficient ball handlers. Gabe Vincent, who was seen in a walking boot after spraining his ankle, is expected to miss two to four weeks, leaving Austin Reaves as the Lakers' primary offensive force. Reaves has responded impressively, averaging 35.8 points along with strong assist and rebound numbers, tying a franchise scoring record in the early season and earning praise from Redick for his tenacity and improvement. Despite the injuries, the Lakers secured their first win of the season with contributions from other players, but the team’s depth and rotation are being severely tested. Their ability to remain competitive hinges on the recovery of injured players and continued breakout performances from Reaves during this challenging stretch.