Los Angeles Lakers reserve point guard Gabe Vincent is set to make his return to the team after being out since December 20 due to knee surgery. The 6-foot-3 UC Santa Barbara product is expected to suit up for the Lakers in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Vincent, who signed with the Lakers on a three-year, $33 million deal after being poached from the Miami Heat, has only played in five games for the team so far. The Lakers, who are currently on a six-game road trip, will have Vincent back in the lineup as they aim to improve their standing in the Western Conference.
Vincent’s role in head coach Darvin Ham’s rotations remains uncertain, as the Lakers have seen backup point guard Spencer Dinwiddie step up in recent games. Dinwiddie, who was signed from the buyout market, has been performing well, averaging 14.5 points in his last four games. Despite his solid performances, Dinwiddie has been inconsistent overall for the Lakers, averaging 6.7 points per game. With Vincent’s return, the Lakers will have additional depth in the backcourt as they continue to push for a higher seed in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have been on a five-game winning streak and have won seven of their last ten games, showing signs of improvement as they head towards the end of the regular season. With just nine games left on their schedule, the Lakers are aiming to climb the standings and potentially avoid the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. Currently 2.5 games behind the sixth seed, the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers will need strong performances from their roster, including Vincent, to secure a higher playoff seeding.
Vincent will travel with the Lakers for their upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers, a tough opponent with a solid home record. In his limited playing time this season, Vincent has put up modest numbers, averaging 5.4 points in five games for the Lakers. During his playoff run with the Miami Heat last season, Vincent showed promise, averaging 12.7 points per game. Team president and general manager Rob Pelinka hopes that Vincent can bring that level of performance to the Lakers and contribute to their success down the stretch.
Coach Darvin Ham has occasionally used three-guard lineups to maximize ball handling on the court, especially in the absence of LeBron James. Vincent’s ability to handle the ball and contribute on both ends of the floor could earn him playing time with the Lakers. However, with Dinwiddie’s strong performances and Vincent’s health concerns this season, it remains to be seen how much of an impact Vincent will have on the team’s rotations moving forward. The Lakers will look to integrate Vincent back into the lineup seamlessly as they push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.
