Lakers slot Gabe Vincent into starting lineup with LeBron James sidelined
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LOS ANGELES — Head coach JJ Redick used Friday’s preseason finale as a dry run for opening night, naming Gabe Vincent the temporary replacement for the injured LeBron James in the Los Angeles Lakers’ first unit.
Vincent scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, but the Lakers fell 117-116 to the Sacramento Kings and closed the preseason 1-5.
Looking ahead to Tuesday
Los Angeles begins the regular season Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors. Redick said the starting group for that game will feature Vincent alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, yet he emphasized that nothing is locked in long-term.
“I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start Game 1; after that, I don’t know,” Redick said, noting he deployed 25 different lineups last season. “Gabe gives us another ball handler and defender, plus shooting around Luka and DA.”
James’ timetable
James is not expected back until mid-November as he continues to recover from sciatica on his right side, according to league sources.
Vincent’s camp momentum
The guard learned of the promotion Friday morning. He had already strengthened his case Wednesday against Dallas, when he poured in 18 points in the first four minutes, going 5-for-5 from three-point range.
“I just try to defend at a high level, playmake when it’s there and space the floor while Luka and Austin create,” Vincent said.
Defensive concerns
The Lakers surrendered 59 second-half points to Sacramento, which shot 54.7 percent overall and 44.8 percent from deep.
“We need to work on our physicality,” said Doncic, who finished with 31 points and nine assists in 33 minutes.
Center Jaxson Hayes did not play after halftime because of a right wrist contusion suffered on a first-quarter lob dunk. X-rays were negative; the team will update his status Sunday.
Off the bench, Marcus Smart contributed 14 points and four steals and vowed to boost the team’s toughness. “Just follow my lead,” Smart said. “I’m going to try to set the tone each and every night.”
Los Angeles has two practices remaining before facing Golden State.
Source: ESPN
