The early-season injury curse is getting to the Lakers, too. While not as short-staffed as the Grizzlies, Pacers, or Celtics, it’s getting dicey. LeBron James is missing the start of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica, and Luka Doncic has to take a week off for a leg contusion and finger injury. It was Austin Reaves’ time to shine – which he did with a 51-point outing – but also Gabe Vincent’s. Disaster struck when he was starting to find his role in the Lakers.

Gabe Vincent’s status was unclear after leaving Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings in the second half. The day the team faces the Damian Lillard-led Blazers, they announced his prognosis.

“Lakers guard Gabe Vincent is expected to miss 2 to 4 weeks after undergoing an MRI on his sprained left ankle Monday, sources tell me and @ShamsCharania,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin confirmed.

During Sunday’s game, Vincent rolled on his ankle and limped back to the locker room. He reportedly tried walking on it but couldn’t. He was ruled out for the rest of the game. That same day, Austin Reaves hit a career-high 51 points, leading the Lakers to a win without their stars.

He was ruled out before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s now official that the ankle injury is severe and he’d have to sit out two to four weeks because of it.

Surprisingly, Dan Woike’s sources said Vincent’s X-rays on Sunday came back clean. The MRIs apparently painted a different picture. This adds to the rollercoaster the 29-year-old has been on in LA.

Lakers’ injuries don’t make Gabe Vincent expendable

Injuries have severely limited Gabe Vincent’s potential since signing with the Lakers. He’s not had enough chance to show the offensive skills that Miami relied on in the playoffs and NBA finals in 2023.

He played only 11 games in his first full season since signing with the Lakers because of injuries. But the Lakers had enough on their roster not to miss him. Doubts remained about how he’d fit in after Luka Doncic arrived, and the Lakers also banked on Austin Reaves. The only thing he had going for him was JJ Redick’s confidence. A strong preseason cemented that.

Once LeBron James was ruled out for the first three weeks of the season due to sciatica, Gabe Vincent was added to the starting lineup to take his place. He even averaged 19 minutes in the first three games. When things were improving for Vincent in the 2025-26 season opening week, he landed on another player’s leg and twisted his foot.

While it’s another setback for Vincent, it’s bad news for the Lakers. While Doncic will be assessed again in a week, Adou Thiero, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Marcus Smart are also on the injury list. The only hope is Austin Reaves continuing his hot run. There’s also more reliance on Dalton Knecht, and Bronny James is getting minutes against the Blazers. Jake LaRavia is not a fan favorite to make up for the missing star power, but the Lakers can’t be picky with seven players down.