The Los Angeles Lakers need all hands on deck to maintain their place in the top three of the Western Conference standings.
So when Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke up on the status of Marcus Smart before tonight’s showdown, it wasn’t taken lightly by those who want to see them succeed. According to Redick, Smart is making steady progress, marked by his participation in on-court workouts this week.
“Lakers coach JJ Redick says Marcus Smart, who will miss his sixth straight game tonight, participated in an on-court workout today and could play as soon as Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks,” reported ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Smart, 32, hasn’t played since March 21st, after suffering an ankle injury against the Magic. He put up two points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and zero blocks in 31 minutes, helping secure a one-point win (105-104). Those are modest numbers for the veteran guard, but his impact is more felt in other ways, such as on the defensive end, where he’s made a massive difference.
For a Lakers team that was struggling to contain opponents, Marcus has been huge in helping them improve their defensive capabilities. His efforts on the perimeter have balanced out the backcourt, freeing up Luka Doncic and earning him a permanent starting role in JJ Redick’s rotation.
Smart is set to miss his sixth straight game tonight, but he’s still day-to-day as he continues making progress with his recovery. Ankle injuries, while not always serious, have a tendency to linger, and that’s why a cautious approach is advised. Fortunately, with two full days off before their next game, Smart will have some extra time to rest and prepare his body before returning to action.
In 60 games this season (his first as a Laker), Smart is averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 39.9% shooting from the field and 33.6% shooting from three. In 53 starts, he has served as the Lakers’ defensive captain on the perimeter, working with Deandre Ayton to contest shots in all areas of the court.
Without his presence in the backcourt, the Lakers have had to make do with Jake LaRavia, who got the start tonight against Oklahoma City. Without someone to pressure ball-handlers (like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), the Lakers will likely struggle to contain the Thunder, but a loss was expected, given that OKC currently holds the best record in the NBA.
With Smart’s return imminent, the best that the Lakers can hope for is to pull off a miracle tonight and get Marcus back to keep the streak alive. Ultimately, however, what really matters is how things play out in the postseason. In what could be LeBron’s final ride in Los Angeles, the Lakers have to take full advantage, and that means succeeding when the stakes are highest.
To have any chance against other Western elites, the Lakers will have to stay healthy, and that process starts now with managing workloads during this final stretch of play. Marcus’ defense in the backcourt will be crucial to their success, and it’s one of several reasons why his health will be one to monitor over the next few days.
