Lakers defense sputters without Marcus Smart in loss to Pistons
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The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Detroit Pistons on March 24, 2026, and did so without their top defender on the floor.
Guard Marcus Smart, widely viewed inside the organization as the club’s best stopper, was unavailable for the matchup. His absence left the Lakers short on perimeter resistance and contributed to the setback in Detroit.
Forward Rui Hachimura also missed the contest, further thinning Los Angeles’ front-court rotation and limiting the team’s options on both ends of the court.
The defeat underscored how heavily the Lakers depend on Smart’s on-ball pressure and Hachimura’s versatility as they navigate the final weeks of the regular season.
Source: New York Post
