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ATLANTA — Twice during the Lakers’ four-game road trip, which ended with a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, Gabe Vincent got the opportunity to show what he could do when given a bigger offensive role.
And in both chances, he delivered.
Vincent drew his second start of the season on Friday, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go with five assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
His point total was his most since signing with the Lakers as a free agent in the summer of 2023, and just the second time he’s scored in double figures in Purple and Gold.
The first time: when he started in Sunday night’s road win against the Utah Jazz, when he finished with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting (2 for 3 from 3-point range).
“I just tried to compete on both ends like I always do,” Vincent said. “The ball was in my hands a little more. I tried to create where I could. I tried to find guys where I could. Tried to take care of the ball. I was trying to win. I’m about winning, so I’m pretty frustrated with the loss. But it happens.”
Vincent started in light of D’Angelo Russell being moved back into a reserve role after starting in blowout losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday and the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves, normally a backcourt starter, missed his fourth consecutive game because of a bruised left pelvis.
Vincent’s 11 shots were tied for the most he has taken as a Laker. He also attempted 11 in the loss to the Heat.
“Every night I just come out and try to make the right read and play my game. And like I said, [on Friday], the ball was in my hands a little more. It came my way a little more. And it has been a little this trip and I’ve just trying to be aggressive and make good reads.”
Vincent’s impact has been felt defensively, especially at the point of attack, throughout the season.
But his offensive production has waned, with Vincent entering the trip averaging 2.8 points on 31.3% shooting (20.9% from behind the arc) and 0.5 assists in 19 games.
He averaged 9 points (43.8% shooting overall, 37.5% from long range) and 2.5 assists on the trip.
“The biggest thing is just his defensive toughness,” Redick said. “He has played aggressive throughout the season. It’s not like he’s passing stuff up. He’s just not as involved when he’s not, when he’s like the third ball handler, if that makes sense, versus the first or second ball handler. And I’m certainly comfortable with Gabe out there on the court.”
REAVES UPDATE
Redick said Reaves returned to Los Angeles before the team flew to Atlanta.
“We kind of got the sense in Minnesota, going towards Miami, that Miami wasn’t likely and neither was [Friday],” Redick said. “We really just wanted him back in L.A. getting treatment, not flying, not going bed to bed, just kind of focusing on his body.”
Redick addressed the ways the Lakers have missed the fourth-year guard during the trip.
“With Austin, the movement piece and the thrust, his ability to get in the paint, his ability to, for the most part, make quick decisions,” the the first-year head coach said. “In some ways, he’s like a connector for our offense, but he’s also a scorer and a playmaker. So you can have connectors that aren’t necessarily players that can do what Austin does in terms of creating offense. He does both. And also, he’s highly competitive and he brings that juice every night.”
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