BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers have officially named Gabe Vincent as the starting guard in place of the injured LeBron James for their upcoming season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 24, 2025. This decision comes after Vincent showcased his skills with a strong performance, scoring 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, despite the Lakers finishing the preseason with a disappointing 1-5 record.
Vincent’s rise to the starting lineup is a crucial development as the Lakers prepare for the highly anticipated matchup next week. While James continues to recover from a right-side sciatica injury, which is expected to sideline him until mid-November, Vincent’s performance has instilled confidence in the coaching staff. “I think I just bring what I’ve been doing since I’ve been here,” Vincent stated, emphasizing his commitment to defense and playmaking alongside teammates like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick described Friday’s game as a “dress rehearsal” and reiterated that Vincent’s starting position is not set in stone. “I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start Game 1, after that, I don’t know,” Redick said. He stressed the importance of flexibility in the lineup, stating, “Injuries and things that happen throughout a year” will affect future decisions.
The Lakers must address their recent defensive struggles, having allowed 59 second-half points to Sacramento, which shot an impressive 54.7% overall and 44.8% from beyond the arc. Redick’s focus remains on improving the team’s physicality, a sentiment echoed by Doncic, who noted, “We need to work on our physicality.”
Adding to the Lakers’ challenges, center Jaxson Hayes is under evaluation after suffering a right wrist contusion during the last game. Fortunately, X-rays returned negative, but further updates will be provided following Sunday’s practice.
As the team gears up for their season opener, former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart is determined to lead by example. “Just follow my lead… I’m going to try to set the tone each and every night,” Smart declared, aiming to boost the physicality the team needs.
With the clock ticking down to the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see how they adapt without their star player. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of this new lineup, which promises to bring excitement and uncertainty to the upcoming season. Stay tuned for further updates as the Lakers finalize their preparations for what could be a pivotal game against the Warriors.
