Lakers Get Key Rotation Piece Back For Playoff Push
By Cem Yolbulan
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a strong playoff push, having won five straight and improving to 41-32. However, the loaded Western Conference provides a tough challenge to LeBron James & Co, who are still in ninth place, facing a potential Play-In tournament.
Fortunately for the Lakers, they are about to get a big boost ahead of the postseason with the return of a key rotation piece. Gabe Vincent, who has been out since December, is about to make his return on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, according to Shams Charania of the Athletic.
Lakers News: Gabe Vincent Making His Return on Sunday
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent is scheduled to join team during current road trip and is expected to be available to play vs. the Nets on Sunday barring setback, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Vincent has been out since Dec. 20 due to knee surgery. pic.twitter.com/qIWF6mbHJB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2024
Lakers fans may have forgotten about him, but Vincent was one of the most important acquisitions of last offseason for Los Angeles, signing a three-year, $33 million deal to replace parting Dennis Schroder.
However, Vincent's tenure in LA has been a star-crossed one as he has been able to play in only five games with a knee injury.
The 27-year-old point guard is one of the success stories of the Miami Heat's development system. Undrafted out of UC Santa Barbara, Vincent became a high-level role player with the Heat, starting on the team that made the 2023 NBA Finals. He averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 assists in 22 playoff games in Miami last season.
Vincent is a prototypical 3-and-D guard. He can guard either guard positions and play on or off the ball. On a team that already has shot creators like LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell, he will likely be tasked with taking the toughest defensive matchup on the perimeter while being expected to hit open jumpers on the offensive end.
How well he does in both will be a huge determinant of how far the Lakers go this postseason.
The Lakers are currently significant underdogs at +2800 to win the Western Conference. If you think they have what it takes to make the NBA Finals, head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and take advantage of these odds. Don't forget to claim your sign-up offer of $200 in bonus bets.
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