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Why Zach Lowe believes Gabe Vincent is finally becoming the piece LA expected in 2023

Originally posted on HITC | By Luca Rosano | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 7:07 AM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have managed to stay on track this season thanks largely to their depth.

While Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have grabbed most of the headlines, the rest of the roster has quietly played a key role in keeping things moving forward.

Deandre Ayton has been steady at center, while Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart have provided solid minutes off the bench. Even when injuries have hit, others have filled in without much drop-off.

This stretch was one of several strong runs for the Lakers during their 2024-25 campaign. The team has battled through injuries but found ways to string together wins.

He’s expected to continue coming off the bench for now. Still, if he keeps playing well, his time could increase as the season progresses. This is especially true if LA deals with more injuries later on or needs a spark down the stretch.

Gabe Vincent starting to make his mark for Lakers

Gabe Vincent made his way back into the Lakers’ lineup after missing 11 games with a left ankle strain.

His stats didn’t jump off the page, but he did knock down a few shots when given the opportunity. He hit a three-pointer in their most recent game and had two in the one before that, finishing with 3 and 6 points respectively.

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Zach Lowe recently discussed how Vincent might be finding his form and becoming the player Los Angeles hoped for when they brought him in.

“Gabe Vincent, after a kind of a rocky couple of seasons since the Heat finals, injuries, subpar play, is he kind of becoming the guy the Lakers hoped he would be when they signed him?

Lowe also highlighted that Vincent has been getting more minutes alongside Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, giving them another solid option on both ends of the floor. The increased playing time seems to be helping him find his rhythm again.

Lakers firmly establish themselves among the West’s elite

The Lakers are starting to solidify themselves as a top team in the West so far this season. They have been in that upper tier with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.

The Lakers did get blown out by the Thunder but they were missing LeBron James. The Lakers have yet to play the Rockets and Nuggets, which will serve as measuring stick games.

However, to this point the Lakers look like they are destined to be one of the top 6 playoff teams in the West this season.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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