The Los Angeles Lakers are back in business after logging back-to-back huge wins over the weekend. This came in the form of a 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday even with LeBron James sidelined with injury. LA followed that up with a convincing 120-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Lakers improved to 36-30.
There’s more good news for LA supporters as two of their key rotation players now appear to be nearing their respective returns.
Los Angeles Lakers Guard Gabe Vincent Coming Back Soon
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic recently dropped a significant update on the status of guard Gabe Vincent, who hasn’t played since late December due to a knee injury. According to Shams, the 27-year-old could return as early as next week:
“Gabe Vincent finally to the point where he’s progressing to conditioning and ramping up on the floor. His window I’m told to potentially return, begins next week,” Shams said.
"Gabe Vincent finally to the point where he's progressing to conditioning and ramping up on the floor. His window I'm told to potentially return, begins next week."@ShamsCharania updates on Gabe Vincent.
📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/N0pSrH6TQx
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 11, 2024
Vincent’s debut season in Hollywood has been mired with injury. He’s featured in just five games thus far, and he hasn’t really been able to establish himself on the squad. The silver lining here, though, is that he is now expected to return long before the playoffs start, thereby giving him ample time to acclimatize with his new team ahead of the postseason.
Jarred Vanderbilt Nearing Return As Well
Another player who has been out of action for the Lakers is Jarred Vanderbilt, who last took the court for LA on February 1. Shams reported that the 6-foot-8 power forward is no longer in a walking boot and appears to be progressing significantly on his road to recovery from a mid-foot sprain:
“I’m told, over the next week or two, they’re hopeful that he also progresses potentially to getting back on the floor,” Shams said.
Vanderbilt is a key part of the rotation as well, and his return should give the Lakers a boost ahead of what is looking like a dogfight out West.
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