Lakers Announce Marcus Smart Development After One Missed Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 7:38 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have opened the 2025–26 season with a 2–2 record, but the team is already dealing with significant injury setbacks. As Luka Doncic continues to recover from a left finger sprain and left leg contusion, Los Angeles lost another player during Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Marcus Smart. The 31-year-old guard joined the Lakers in the offseason on a two-year, $11 million deal after being bought out by the Washington Wizards.

Smart was brought in to provide toughness, veteran leadership and high-energy play, with hopes he could help stabilize the backcourt and elevate the team’s defensive identity. Through his first three games in Los Angeles, Smart has averaged 7.7 points, 1.0 rebound, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 43.8% from the field.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36)Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As mentioned, Smart left Sunday’s matchup with the Kings and subsequently was ruled out for Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers with a right quad contusion. The Lakers announced their official injury report for Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Smart’s status was listed as questionable. Khobi Price of SoCal News Group confirmed the change on X. “The Lakers have listed Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes as questionable on the injury report for tomorrow at Minnesota,” he reported.

This is a positive development for Los Angeles, as Smart’s absence may only last one game and it appears he avoided a significant setback. The Lakers’ roster has been severely depleted just one week into the regular season. With Doncic and LeBron James both sidelined, Los Angeles will need Smart to provide defensive stability while Austin Reaves carries the scoring load.

The Lakers have listed Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes as questionable on the injury report for tomorrow at Minnesota: pic.twitter.com/IajGD8NScT
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 28, 2025

Smart continues to face the challenge of proving he can stay healthy, a concern that has followed him as he enters the latter stages of his career. He appeared in just 54 total games over the past two seasons during stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Wizards. At his peak with the Boston Celtics, Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022 and earned three All-Defensive Team selections.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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