JJ Redick Tests Lineup with Gabe Vincent in the Run-Up to the Season
In the last scrimmage before the start of the regular season, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick opted for Gabe Vincent in the starting lineup. This decision was made to cover the absence of LeBron James, who is in recovery. Vincent had an outstanding performance during the preseason, solidifying his position with 14 points, achieved with an efficiency of 5 out of 6 field goals and 4 out of 5 three-pointers. Despite the good individual performance, the Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings with a score of 117-116, finishing the preseason with a record of 1-5. The regular season debut is scheduled for Tuesday night, with the Lakers facing the Golden State Warriors. Although the decision on Vincent has already been made, the team still has several aspects to define in the coming days.Vincent revealed that the coaching staff informed him about the change in the lineup on Friday morning. His previous performance, including 18 points in the first four minutes against the Dallas Mavericks, with a perfect 5 out of 5 in three-pointers, reinforced his position.“We have two more practices, we need to improve some aspects,” commented Luka Doncic, who led the game with 31 points and nine assists.
Luka Doncic
LeBron James is expected to return to the court in mid-November, as he recovers from sciatica affecting the right side of his body. Although Vincent will be alongside Doncic, Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura at the start of the 2025-26 season, Redick emphasized that the current starting lineup is not definitive.“I think I bring what I’ve been doing since I got here,” Vincent said, referring to his fit in the starting lineup. “High-level defense, creating plays when I have opportunities, and spacing the floor while Luka and Austin Reaves create.”
Gabe Vincent
Redick has downplayed the significance of his decision regarding the starting lineup during training camp, noting that he used 25 different starting lineups last season. Redick’s team showed concern about their defense, after allowing 59 points in the second half to the Kings, who had a 54.7% field goal percentage and a 44.8% three-point percentage. “In practice we were more physical,” Doncic said. “We need to work on our aggressiveness.” The Lakers were without Jaxson Hayes due to a contusion on his right wrist, suffered after a dunk in the first quarter. Redick reported that the X-rays were negative and more information about Hayes will be given on Sunday. Marcus Smart, with 14 points and four steals off the bench against Sacramento, committed to improving the team’s aggressiveness.“I don’t know who will be a starter for the rest of the season, as injuries and other factors occur throughout the year,” Redick explained. “I have an idea of who will start the first game, but after that, I don’t know. I think in that lineup there’s a lot of shooting around Luka and DA, and Gabe is another ball handler and a tough defender.
JJ Redick
“Just follow me,” Smart said. “I’m going to try to set the tone every night.”
Marcus Smart
