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 Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.
Redick offered a preview of his opening night starting lineup during Friday’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, rolling out Vincent, Reaves, Dončić, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. The new-look unit combined for 22 of the Lakers’ 28 assists and all five players posted positive plus-minus ratings despite a narrow 117-116 loss to Sacramento.
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
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.
Matthew Boyd Can't Hold Back His Emotions Discussing Game 1 Start vs Padres
The Chicago Cubs have announced their starting pitcher for Game 1 on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Veteran Matthew Boyd takes the mound at Wrigley Field to open up the best-of-three series. Nick Pivetta is the opposing pitcher.
In 31 starts this season, Boyd has gone 14-8 with an earned run average of 3.21, a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.09, and striking out 154, six shy of beating his career-high of 159 (2018 with the Detroit Tigers). He ranks in MLB's top 15 in terms of wins, ERA, and WHIP.
"It's cool because you never know when the opportunity is going to present itself," said Boyd. "I waited my first eight years to get the chance in the postseason. Didn’t really get to be a part of it on the field. I only threw one out. You never know when the opportunity is going to come again."
The native of Mercer Island, Washington, has only pitched past the fifth inning once this month, and that was back on September 6 against the Washington Nationals. Boyd only gave up four home runs in ten starts between the months of June and July.
Upon hearing the news that he was going to start Game 1 for the Cubs, the 34-year-old couldn't help his emotions and struggled to fight back tears. Chicago is looking to make it to their first World Series since 2016.
"I'm a sucker for this sort of thing, you know? It's cool,” said Boyd. “To get to think that I would have got this opportunity knowing everything about my grandfather growing up here, it's cool, it's cool stuff. He would be extremely happy.”
How has Boyd done in the postseason before?
Despite pitching in MLB since 2015, Boyd has only appeared in four playoff games before now. He took the mound in 2022 for the Seattle Mariners. Boyd faced three batters in one-third of an inning, where he allowed a hit and also walked another batter.
Last year, the lefty pitched in three playoff games for the Cleveland Guardians. Boyd had a much better postseason then as he struck out 14 batters in 11 and two-thirds innings. Unfortunately, all three of his starts were no-decisions.
“To do it with the Cubs, to do it with this group, it will never be like this again,” said. Boyd “I mean, if we come back here, the personnel will not be the same. It’s a special group. It’s a good group of guys, and it’s unique to this moment. And that’s it.
While Chicago remains mum on the rest of their starting rotation this series, the Padres have announced theirs. The Cubs will declare their Game 2 pitcher following Game 1.
A pair of pitchers who have been a part of the Cubs organization before, Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish, round out the rotation for San Diego. Cease will take Game 2 and Darvish, if necessary, gets the nod for Game 3.
Hopefully the next time Boyd is emotional is after a Cubs win over the Padres.
