Gabe Vincent expects to take on a larger role for the Los Angeles Lakers as the 2025-26 season begins without the injured LeBron James, and the guard’s preseason showing suggests he is ready for the responsibility.
Head coach JJ Redick inserted Vincent into the starting lineup for the club’s final exhibition on Oct. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old responded by scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, knocking down 4-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc during the victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
After the preseason wrapped up, Vincent said an extended summer helped him fine-tune both his body and his jumper.
“We had an early exit in the playoffs and a long offseason, so I tried to take advantage of it,” he explained. “I put in a lot of work—there were plenty of shots made and missed behind the scenes—so I trust what I’ve done and I’m confident heading into the year.”
Vincent also credited his teammates for creating clean looks, particularly during the Las Vegas portion of the preseason schedule. “They were working to get me my shots, so it wasn’t just me coming down and firing away,” he said. “I’m just trying to do my job and be as efficient as possible.”
The guard’s performance appears to have secured him significant minutes when the regular season tips off. Redick praised Vincent’s contributions on both ends of the floor throughout the exhibition slate.
Star guard Luka Doncic, who is expected to shoulder a heavier load in James’ absence, added that he enjoys sharing the court with Vincent, calling the veteran a reliable partner.
Source: LakersNation.com
