Lakers' JJ Redick Addresses 'Improving' Marcus Smart Recovery

JJ Redick, the head coach of the Lakers, claims that Smart's injury recuperation is progressing. Redick said, via Mark Medina on X, that the defensive guard remains "day-to-day" in the injury report.

Redick knows Smart's importance to the team. After the Lakers' tough 113-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, the head coach revealed the hole that the veteran guard has left due to his injury.

“Not having Smart tonight killed us,” Redick said. “That’s important for us, that we can get healthy and we can play our rotation. Post-Luke (Kennard) trade, I think when all nine guys have played, we’ve been a good basketball team. And I think (Jarred Vanderbilt) did a great job tonight. When he had his minutes, he was ready to play. 

“But the way our team works, you need Smart for his ballhandling, you need Smart for his defense, you need Rui for his shooting. Those pieces are important to complement everybody. And, you know, we need to finish the season strong, but we also need to finish the season healthy.”

Smart serves as the player who covers most of the defensive lapses from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He's also the defensive anchor, directing traffic and where his teammates should position themselves in certain situations.

However, he's more than a defensive asset for the Lakers. Smart admitted that he's the leader in the locker room, consistently being vocal to help his teammates.

“LeBron and Luka don’t really talk as much, they're locked in. Deandre Ayton’s my guy, he’s kind of all over the place, so I regulate that and make sure everyone else is good,” Smart said via Grilled of NBA Take-Two Media.

The Lakers are hoping to have Smart back during their three-game homestand.