TITLE: Lakers list Marcus Smart doubtful; Rui Hachimura, Adou Thiero questionable for Pacers game
SLUG: lakers-smart-hachimura-thiero-status-vs-pacers
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers have designated guard Marcus Smart as doubtful with right ankle soreness and labeled forwards Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) and Adou Thiero (left knee soreness) as questionable for Wednesday night’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
Smart and Hachimura both sat out Monday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons after sustaining their injuries during Saturday’s victory over the Orlando Magic. Hachimura left that contest in the third quarter, while Smart played through the issue and delivered the inbounds pass that set up Luke Kennard’s game-winning three-pointer.
Day-to-day status
Head coach JJ Redick described all three injuries as non-serious, listing each player as day-to-day. Without Smart and Hachimura in Detroit, the Lakers inserted Jake LaRavia into the starting lineup and moved Jarred Vanderbilt back into the rotation. Redick also gave Thiero a brief first-half appearance before the rookie’s knee soreness surfaced.
Impact on rotation
Smart has served as Los Angeles’ primary point-of-attack defender and emotional leader, while Hachimura leads the bench in scoring and is shooting a team-best 43.8% from three-point range. LaRavia and Vanderbilt provided energy against the Pistons, but neither matches Smart’s secondary playmaking or Hachimura’s perimeter shooting. Should Smart and Hachimura remain sidelined in Indianapolis, Redick is expected to rely on the same adjustments, with veteran Maxi Kleber also a potential option.
Road-trip finale
The Lakers conclude their six-game road swing on Wednesday. A win over Indiana would give Los Angeles a 5-1 mark on the trip. The Pacers, tied for the NBA’s worst record, snapped a 16-game losing streak in their most recent outing.
Redick emphasized Smart’s value after the Detroit game, noting the team’s defensive intensity and late-game execution drop without the veteran guard on the floor.
Source: Lakers Nation
