The Los Angeles Lakers have been without backup point guard Gabe Vincent since October 26, when he suffered a sprained right ankle. Vincent was initially given a recovery timeline of two to four weeks.
According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Vincent is progressing well in his recovery from an ankle injury. Coach JJ Redick gave an update over the weekend, hoping that the 29-year-old guard could make his return at around the third-week mark since the injury happened.
Additional information on Vincent’s recovery includes an increase in intensity during individual workouts under assistant coach Lindsey Harding. He’s also feeling good, but he hasn’t been cleared for contact activities and even 1-on-1 drills.
In addition to Vincent, rookie forward Adou Thiero has also ramped up his workouts ahead of his potential return to the lineup and eventual NBA debut. LeBron James is the only other player on the Lakers’ injury list, and he’s scheduled to return later this month after a bout with sciatica.
James, Vincent and Thiero All Ruled Out Against Thunder
The Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to visit the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on Wednesday night. The Lakers are coming off a big win over the Charlotte Hornets, led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They enter the contest with a record of 8-3, which is good for fourth in the Western Conference standings.
According to the latest Lakers injury report, LeBron James, Gabe Vincent and Adou Thiero have been ruled out against the Thunder. James stayed in Los Angeles for the current five-game road trip, while Vincent and Thiero are with the team.
Reaves is also on the report, tagged as questionable because of a strained right groin. He played 29 minutes against the Hornets, so there’s a chance for him to be under a minutes restriction in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers began their five-game road trip with a lackluster performance in their 122-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 8. They followed it up with a better showing against the Hornets, earning a hard-fought 121-111 victory.
They resume the trip at Oklahoma City on November 12 before facing the New Orleans Pelicans two days later. The final stop on the trip will be at the Fiserv Forum against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on November 15.
Vincent’s Injury Opened Up Minutes for Bronny James
While Gabe Vincent’s injury was a big blow to the Los Angeles Lakers, it allowed players like Bronny James to get increased playing time. Since Vincent sprained his right ankle, Bronny has received minutes in six of the last eight games, as reported by Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times.
LeBron’s eldest son had a couple of really good games against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 3 and the Atlanta Hawks on November 8. The second-year guard had five points, six assists and zero turnovers in 19 minutes, helping the Lakers beat the Blazers. He put up nine points, two rebounds and two assists in their defeat in Atlanta.
But with Marcus Smart getting healthier every game, Bronny’s minutes could continue to go down and have some DNPs. Vincent’s imminent return puts the USC product on the back end of the bench again, possibly in the NBA G League as well.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers’ Gabe Vincent Receives Updated Recovery Timeline appeared first on Heavy Sports.