The Los Angeles Lakers received a much-needed dose of positive news on the injury front as head coach JJ Redick provided an optimistic update on veteran guard Marcus Smart.
Smart, who has missed his eighth straight game on Tuesday, is “trending toward playing at some point this week,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The development signals steady progress in his recovery, with the team adopting a cautious but deliberate approach rather than reacting to any new setback.
Redick emphasized that the delay stems from prudence after Smart began ramping up his activity, not from any regression. With the regular season scheduled to conclude on Sunday, there remains a narrow but realistic window for the defensive-minded guard to return before the playoffs.
Smart’s Potential Return Amid a Tight Schedule
Smart will sit out his eighth consecutive contest on Tuesday, but optimism is building for a comeback before the season ends. Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors kicks off a back-to-back, which makes that night less likely for his return. A more plausible target appears to be Friday against the Phoenix Suns, though no firm date has been locked in.
The Lakers’ limited remaining games mean any reintegration must be managed carefully to avoid rushing Smart back into heavy minutes. If available, he would add valuable depth to the backcourt rotation as Los Angeles pushes toward the postseason.
Marcus Smart’s Impact This Season
In 60 games this season, Smart has averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while contributing 1.4 steals. He has shot 39.9% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range.
Beyond the box score, his presence has been felt most strongly on the defensive end and as a secondary playmaker. Notably, Smart leads the Lakers in plus/minus at +238 across those 60 games — comfortably ahead of Luka Dončić’s +187 in 64 games. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses and stabilize the perimeter has been a quiet but significant factor in the team’s success.
Lakers Navigate Standings Slide with Mounting Injuries
The injury to Smart comes at a challenging moment for the Lakers, who currently sit at 50-28. They have slipped behind the Denver Nuggets (51-28) for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference after Denver’s 137-132 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Los Angeles faces the Oklahoma City Thunder shorthanded on Tuesday, missing four starters: Marcus Smart, Luka Dončić (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique), and LeBron James (left foot injury management). Another defeat would put the Lakers a full game behind Denver with only a handful of regular-season contests remaining.
Bench Steps Up as Rotation Adjusts
With multiple key pieces sidelined, the Lakers have leaned more heavily on their bench. Jake LaRavia has provided solid contributions, averaging 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over the last eight games. Luke Kennard has also stepped forward effectively, posting 9.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the same span — including a career-first triple-double (15 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists) in the team’s recent loss in Dallas.
These performances have helped maintain continuity, but the absence of Smart’s perimeter defense has been particularly noticeable. His return, even in a limited capacity, would give JJ Redick additional flexibility in managing matchups down the stretch.
Shift in Priorities: Health Over Seeding
Redick has made it clear that playoff positioning is no longer the primary focus amid the wave of injuries.
“Seeding is out the window,” the Lakers head coach stated, via McMenamin.
The comment represents a notable pivot from earlier in the week, when the team still harbored hopes of securing the No. 3 seed. With Dončić and Reaves also unavailable, the emphasis has shifted squarely toward restoring health and ensuring key players are as fresh as possible heading into the postseason.
Flexible Timeline for Smart’s Return
For now, the Lakers are avoiding any concrete return date for Marcus Smart. However, the trajectory is encouraging: he continues to make progress, and the organization is working toward having him available before the playoffs begin.
As the regular season winds down, Smart’s potential return could provide a timely boost to a Lakers squad eager to stabilize its rotation and enter the postseason with as much momentum — and defensive tenacity — as possible.
The coming days will be critical as Los Angeles balances caution with the urgency of a tightening playoff picture. If Smart can rejoin the lineup in time, his veteran presence and elite defensive instincts may prove invaluable in what remains of the 2025-26 campaign.