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: Starting Sunday
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Smart will start Sunday's game against the Kings, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Smart will enter the starting five due to Austin Reaves (calf) being out of the lineup. In his last four starts, Smart has averaged 11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.3 minutes per contest.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Returns to Thursday's game
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Doubtful vs. New Orleans
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Smart (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Smart didn't play in Friday's win over the Mavericks, and the doubtful tag suggests the veteran guard is unlikely to be available Sunday in the first leg of a back-to-back set. If that's the case, there should be more minutes available for players like Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht. Smart is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 boards and 2.9 assists per game this season.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Ruled out vs. Dallas
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Smart (back) is out for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Smart won't be available for this matchup after being downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day. This means there will be more minutes available for Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and maybe even Bronny James. Smart's next chance to play will come against the Pelicans on Sunday.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Downgraded to doubtful
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Smart (back) is now doubtful for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
The veteran guard is nursing back spasms, and he's likely to require at least one game to recover. With Smart unlikely to play, his absence would free up some minutes for Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia for those in need of a streamer in deep leagues.
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Lakers' Marcus Smart: Questionable due to back spasms
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Smart (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Smart is dealing with back spasms, which puts him in jeopardy of missing Friday's game. He has played a key role for the Lakers both in a bench role and as a starter this season, and his potential absence would open the door for more minutes for the likes of Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia. Across 10 games since Nov. 2, Smart has averaged 9.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals over 26.7 minutes per game.
