With LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined until at least mid-November, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick is turning to veteran guard Gabe Vincent to help steady the team’s backcourt alongside Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.
Redick offered a preview of his opening night starting lineup during Friday’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, rolling out Vincent, Reaves, Dončić, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. The new-look unit combined for 22 of the Lakers’ 28 assists, and all five players posted positive plus-minus ratings despite a narrow 117-116 loss to Sacramento.
Vincent, who learned on Friday morning that he would start, capitalized on the opportunity with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range. He showcased the kind of poise and perimeter efficiency that made him one of Redick’s most trusted guards this preseason.
### Dončić Praises Vincent’s Fit in Starting Backcourt
After the game, Dončić praised Vincent’s shooting and defensive toughness, calling him an ideal complement in the backcourt.
“I always like playing with Gabe. His shooting is going to help me a lot,” Dončić said. “We have that connection he made, what, four threes out of five? When he’s hot like that, we need to get him some more touches.”
Vincent, meanwhile, said playing alongside Dončić has already elevated his own game.
“You always have to have your hands ready,” Vincent said. “My hands were up a little more, waiting on it. He always tends to find you, but it was slightly different off the ball just trying to be aggressive.”
### Looking Ahead to Season Opener
The Lakers are currently listed as two-point underdogs at FanDuel Sportsbook in their season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Despite the odds, optimism remains high that Vincent’s play can help stabilize the rotation in James’ absence.
### Redick: ‘There’s a Lot of Shooting Around Luka and DA’
Redick confirmed after the game that Vincent’s presence provides balance on both ends of the court but stopped short of committing to any fixed rotation beyond opening night.
“I don’t know anything about who I’m going to be starting the rest of the season,” Redick said. “There are injuries, and things happen throughout the year. I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start Game 1. After that, I don’t know. But I do think in that lineup there’s a lot of shooting around Luka and DA, and Gabe is another ball handler, another tough defender.”
### Vincent Finds Rhythm After Injury-Plagued Seasons
Since signing with Los Angeles away from the Miami Heat, Vincent’s first two seasons were marred by injuries. But the 29-year-old guard spent the long offseason focused on conditioning and consistency.
“Unfortunately, we had an early exit in the playoffs, and it’s been a long offseason,” Vincent said. “But I did what I could to take advantage of it preparing my body and working on my game. I feel good about the start of the year for myself.”
That work has paid off. Vincent averaged 16.3 points on 55.6% three-point shooting in three preseason games while adding 3.0 assists, hitting double figures every time he suited up.
“First of all, it’s just a lot of work,” Vincent said of his hot shooting. “There have been a lot of shots made and a lot of shots missed behind the scenes. I’ve got a lot of trust in myself and a lot of confidence in what I’ve put forward.”
### Lakers Banking on Vincent’s Two-Way Versatility
Dončić believes Vincent’s value goes well beyond offense.
“He brings that defensive intensity, too, so I think he’s going to help us a lot,” Dončić said.
Vincent’s two-way impact fits naturally alongside Reaves in the Lakers’ backcourt, with Dončić sliding into the frontcourt role normally anchored by James.
“I think I just bring what I’ve been doing since I’ve been here,” Vincent said. “Just defending at a high level, playmaking when I can, and spacing the floor while Luka and Austin are creating.”
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/gabe-vincent-starting/
