Smart registered 12 points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-7 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 129-118 victory over the Bulls.
With Austin Reaves (calf) nearing a return to the lineup, Smart is in danger of losing his starting job at shooting guard. The veteran guard has averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes per tilt in his last eight games, and Smart should still maintain a consistent role if he eventually winds up back on the bench.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Good to go Sunday
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Smart (undisclosed) isn't on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Raptors, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Smart went to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Saturday's matchup against Portland and failed to return, but he managed to avoid a significant injury and will be available for the second half of his team's back-to-back. The Oklahoma State product was held to single digits in the scoring column in four of his first six games in January but has since turned it around, scoring in double figures in each of his last three appearances.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Doesn't return Saturday
Rotowire
Smart (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 132-116 loss to the Trail Blazers and did not return.
Smart was one point shy of matching his season-high mark before limping to the locker room with 7:56 remaining in the contest. The veteran guard finished with 25 points (9-17 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds and one steal across 25 minutes. He returned to the bench late in the fourth, though his status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's game against Toronto.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Exits to locker room
Rotowire
Smart (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
It's unclear why Smart left for the locker room, though he was spotted limping to the back. The veteran guard should be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Struggles in loss
Rotowire
Smart notched one point (0-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes during Monday's 124-112 loss to the Kings.
Despite some healthy workloads, Smart continues to struggle for the Lakers. Over his last seven outings, he's seeing 31.7 minutes per night with averages of 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 three-pointers on 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Making regular starts
Rotowire
Smart produced six points (1-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), one rebound, four assists and one block in 31 minutes during Sunday's 120-114 victory over the Grizzlies.
With both Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura nursing calf injuries, Smart has started four consecutive games and eight of his last nine. During that latter stretch, Smart has averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 28.9 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Returns to Thursday's game
Rotowire
Smart (shoulder) returned during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Rockets, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Smart appeared to injure his right shoulder during the first quarter and ran to the locker room. However, the issue ended up being fairly minor, and he checked back into the game to begin the second quarter.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Heads to locker room
Rotowire
Smart appeared to injure his right shoulder during the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Rockets and ran back to the locker room, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Smart wasn't able to move his shoulder as he ran back to the locker room following a collision with Steven Adams. He should be considered questionable to return.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Regresses in blowout loss
Rotowire
Smart had five points (1-12 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes during Saturday's 103-88 loss to the Clippers.
Although Smart has been effective during the Lakers' extensive injury issues, he was ice-cold in the lopsided defeat, recording his lowest point total since Nov. 18. Smart uncharacteristically converted only one of 12 shot attempts and made little contribution elsewhere. Smart was one of several players who failed to provide adequate support for LeBron James, who took it upon himself to keep the Lakers relevant in the matchup.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Hits for 17 points in win
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Smart logged 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 28 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 143-135 victory over the Jazz.
Smart continued to fill in for Austin Reaves (calf) during Thursday's victory. Reaves incurred his second consecutive absence and is scheduled to be re-evaluated soon, but Smart should continue to excel while Reaves is sidelined. Smart has averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists during the absence. He's also feeling it beyond the arc over the past week, with 14 drilled three-pointers out of 28 attempts across the past three games.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Starting Sunday sans Reaves
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Smart will enter the Lakers' starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Suns, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Head coach JJ Reddick will turn to Smart to fill the void in the starting lineup left by Austin Reaves, who is set to miss at least one week due to a Grade 1 left calf strain. Smart started in nine games earlier in the season, during which he averaged 11.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 threes and 2.3 steals over 31.0 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Season-high 26 points in return
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Smart (back) contributed 26 points (9-16 FG, 8-14 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 28 minutes during Wednesday's 132-119 loss to the Spurs.
After missing the past six games due to a left lumbar muscle strain, Smart made a splash in his return, landing eight triples en route to a season-high scoring haul. While Smart's stellar outing was encouraging, he's a career 32.4 percent shooter from downtown who is unlikely to have many eight-triple games left in him. Smart can still provide some value as a streaming option for three-pointers, steals and assists, though his opportunity to play big minutes will be contingent on the availability of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Off report for Wednesday
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Smart (back) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Smart will make his return for the NBA Cup matchup following a six-game absence due to a back injury. With the veteran guard back in action, Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia could see their roles on the second unit decrease. Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 triples in 26.8 minutes per contest over 14 games this season.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Expected to play vs. Spurs
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Smart (back) intends to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Head coach JJ Redick said Sunday that the Lakers were targeting Wednesday for Smart's return from a six-game absence due to a back injury, and the veteran guard plans to "give it a go" against San Antonio. His status likely won't be confirmed until sometime closer to Wednesday's tipoff at 10:00 p.m. ET, though. Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per night over 14 games this season.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Targeting Wednesday for return
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Head coach JJ Redick noted Sunday that while Smart (back) remains day-to-day, the team hopes to have him back for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Smart will miss his sixth straight game Sunday due to a left lumbar muscle strain, but he seems to be trending toward a return. Gabe Vincent, Nick Smith and Dalton Knecht are candidates for increased roles as long as Smart remains out of the lineup.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Remaining out vs. Philadelphia
Rotowire
Smart (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Smart will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a left lumbar muscle strain, and he can be considered highly questionable for Wednesday's game against the Spurs. With the veteran guard sidelined, Gabe Vincent, Nick Smith and Dalton Knecht are candidates for increased playing time.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Still sidelined
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Smart (back) won't play in Friday's game against the Celtics, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
It's Smart's fifth consecutive absence due to a left lumbar muscle strain. His absence means Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and Nick Smith could see expanded roles, especially with Luka Doncic (personal) and LeBron James (rest) unavailable. Smart's next chance to play will come Sunday against Philadelphia.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Out again Thursday
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Smart (back) will not play Thursday against the Raptors, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Smart will sit out for a fourth consecutive game Thursday. That's the front end of a back-to-back set, so it's possible the guard could return Friday against the Celtics. Gabe Vincent, Jaka LaRavia and Dalton Knecht could pick up some extra run Thursday, especially with Luka Doncic (personal) also out.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Smart (back) will not play Monday against the Suns, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Smart will be held out for a third consecutive game Monday but is being considered day-to-day by the team, per Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com. His next chance to play comes Thursday against the Raptors. Gabe Vincent, Jaka LaRavia and Dalton Knecht could be a bit more involved in the meantime.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Smart (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
As expected, Smart will miss his second consecutive game due to back spasms. His next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Suns. With the veteran guard sidelined, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht are candidates for an uptick in minutes.
