Lakers Find New Backcourt Spark Amid LeBron Injury
With LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined until at least mid-November, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick is turning to veteran guard Gabe Vincent to help steady the team’s backcourt alongside
Redick offered a preview of his opening night starting lineup during Friday’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, rolling out Vincent, Reaves, Dončić,
Vincent, who learned on Friday morning that he would start, capitalized on the opportunity with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range, showing the kind of poise and perimeter efficiency that made him one of Redick’s most trusted guards this preseason.
Dončić Praises Vincent’s Fit in Starting Backcourt
Getty Lakers head coach JJ talks with Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Gabe Vincent during a break.
After the game, Dončić praised Vincent’s shooting and defensive toughness, calling him an ideal complement in the backcourt.
“I always like playing with Gabe. His shooting is going to help me a lot,” Dončić said. “We have that connection — he made, what, four threes out of five? When he’s hot like that, we need to get him some more touches.”
Vincent, meanwhile, said playing alongside Dončić has already elevated his own game.
“You always have to have your hands ready,” Vincent said. “My hands were up a little more, waiting on it. He always tends to find you, but it was slightly different off the ball — just trying to be aggressive.”
The Lakers are currently listed as two-point underdogs at FanDuel Sportsbook, which offers a welcome bonus like Speedz, in their season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, but optimism remains high that Vincent’s play can help stabilize the rotation in James’ absence.
Redick: ‘There’s a Lot of Shooting Around Luka and DA’
Redick confirmed after the game that Vincent’s presence provides balance on both ends of the court — but stopped short of committing to any fixed rotation beyond opening night.
“I don’t know anything about who I’m going to be starting the rest of the season,” Redick said. “There are injuries, and things happen throughout the year. I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start Game 1. After that, I don’t know. But I do think in that lineup there’s a lot of shooting around Luka and DA, and Gabe is another ball handler, another tough defender.”
Vincent Finds Rhythm After Injury-Plagued Seasons
Since signing with Los Angeles away from the Miami Heat, Vincent’s first two seasons were marred by injuries. But the 29-year-old guard spent the long offseason focused on conditioning and consistency.
“Unfortunately, we had an early exit in the playoffs, and it’s been a long offseason,” Vincent said. “But I did what I could to take advantage of it — preparing my body and working on my game. I feel good about the start of the year for myself.”
That work has paid off. Vincent averaged 16.3 points on 55.6% three-point shooting in three preseason games while adding 3.0 assists, hitting double figures every time he suited up.
“First of all, it’s just a lot of work,” Vincent said of his hot shooting. “There have been a lot of shots made and a lot of shots missed behind the scenes. I’ve got a lot of trust in myself and a lot of confidence in what I’ve put forward.”
Lakers Banking on Vincent’s Two-Way Versatility
Dončić believes Vincent’s value goes well beyond offense.
“He brings that defensive intensity, too, so I think he’s going to help us a lot,” Dončić said.
Vincent’s two-way impact fits naturally alongside Reaves in the Lakers’ backcourt, with Dončić sliding into the frontcourt role normally anchored by James.
“I think I just bring what I’ve been doing since I’ve been here,” Vincent said. “Just defending at a high level, playmaking when I can, and spacing the floor while Luka and Austin are creating.”
As the Lakers prepare to open their 2025–26 NBA season, Vincent’s resurgence could be key to surviving the early stretch without LeBron — and establishing chemistry that carries deep into the season.
Richard Jefferson Makes Bold Warriors Prediction
After the Oklahoma City Thunder became the youngest team in nearly half a century to win an NBA championship, the Golden State Warriors are betting on age and experience to bring them back to the top of the Western Conference.
This offseason, the Warriors went against the league-wide youth movement by adding 39-year-old veteran Al Horford, a five-time All-Star who continues to defy Father Time.
And while some skeptics question whether the “old but gold” Warriors can still hang with emerging contenders like Oklahoma City,
Jefferson Compares Horford to Past Warriors Bigs
“It feels like every time we talk about an NBA season, it comes down to health,” Jefferson told Heavy Sports during a media conference call. “If this team is healthy, there’s no drama. That being said, that team is deep. That team has a lot of talent.”
Jefferson, who played for the Warriors during the 2012-13 season before defeating them in the 2016 NBA Finals with the Cavaliers, said Horford’s arrival has stabilized the team’s structure on both ends of the floor.
GettyAl Horford signed a two-year $11.6 million deal to join the Golden State Warriors over the offseason.
“Al Horford, we’ve seen him plug and play with so many teams,” Jefferson said. “When we did their game, it felt like when they had David West, when they had Andrew Bogut. They had a defensive big next to
Horford’s leadership and court vision have already impressed Steve Kerr’s staff during training camp. Though the veteran big man played limited minutes in the preseason, he has given the Warriors a defensive anchor and a steadying presence on offense.
Championship Hopes Ride on Health and Depth
Jefferson said the Warriors still belong in the championship conversation — but only if the core of Stephen Curry, Green, Jimmy Butler
“If they’re healthy, this Warriors team has a chance to be one of the top teams in the West,” Jefferson said. “The West is loaded. They could play great and still lose to OKC in six. That’s still a great season. They could go to the Conference Finals.
“Are they a championship team? That would take a tremendous amount of health for a team that’s a little bit older. But they’re definitely in the mix.”
Warriors Already Battling Injuries Ahead of Opener
The Warriors’ health is already being tested before the season even starts. Butler missed the team’s final three preseason games with a sprained ankle, Moses Moody is doubtful for opening night with a calf strain, and
Golden State closed the preseason with a narrow 106-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. They’ll open the regular season Tuesday night against the
Kerr said he remains optimistic Butler will be ready for opening night, noting how the six-time All-Star’s presence changes the team’s offensive rhythm and defensive poise.
Without Butler, however, the Warriors reverted to sloppy habits.
“I think Jimmy solves a lot of that,” Kerr said after Friday’s game. “Remember last year — we were 25 and 26 without him. We turned it over frequently. But after we got him, the game made a lot more sense. There was more control, fewer turnovers, and we started winning. No coincidence.”
