The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for what's likely to be the most challenging stretch of the 2024-25 regular season. Just one month after completing the stunning trade for Luka Doncic, Los Angeles has lost two starters in a span of two days to injuries.
Hope persists that both Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves will return to full strength sooner than later, but in the meantime, the Lakers will need Gabe Vincent to step up.
Vincent, 28, is in the midst of a polarizing second season in Los Angeles. After appearing in just 11 games in 2023-24 due to injury, he's inevitably needed time to rediscover the form that convinced Rob Pelinka to sign him to a three-year, $33 million contract in 2023.
Vincent has appeared in 50 of the Lakers' 58 games thus far, but with both Hachimura and Reaves sidelined, the quality will need to match the availability.
Thankfully, it appears as though the veteran guard is finally hitting his stride as a member of the purple and gold. His lack of efficiency remains an issue, but his defense has been stout and his offense is showing signs of life.
If the Lakers are going to overcome what could be a considerable amount of time without both Hachimura and Reaves, however, they'll need Vincent to play like he's in Miami again.
Lakers need Gabe Vincent now more than ever
Through 50 appearances, Vincent has recorded averages of 5.6 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made in 20.3 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to 9.9 points, 2.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Those are by no means mesmerizing statistics, but they're an at least somewhat fair reflection of the 3-and-D value he's provided in recent months.
Vincent is shooting 36.4 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2024-25, including a mark of 37.0 percent since Feb. 1. On the other end of the floor, opponents are shooting 2.7 percent worse from the field when he's the primary defender.
Los Angeles is also allowing 3.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when Vincent is on the court, thus displaying his positive impact on defense.
Moving forward, Vincent will need to take his game to an even higher level. He's a valid option to start alongside Doncic, providing defensive consistency and the ability to knock down catch-and-shoot threes while playing off of the Lakers' two-headed playmaking monster.
Filling Reaves' shoes, however, will also require Vincent to create more for himself and others—an ability that he's proven he possesses.
Vincent averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 assists per 36 minutes between his final three seasons with the Miami Heat. He also averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 assists per game during the 2023 postseason, scoring 20-plus points on five different occasions as the Heat marched to the NBA Finals.
If Vincent can return to that level with Hachimura and Reaves sidelined, then the Lakers will have a legitimate opportunity to overcome their respective absences.