Lakers' Gabe Vincent making an impact after disastrous start to season

Gabe Vincent’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers has been anything but smooth. His first season was derailed by injuries that kept him off the court, and as he entered his second year with the franchise, expectations were high. 

Yet, despite staying healthy, his production early in the season fell far short of what the Lakers had envisioned when they signed him to a three-year, $33M deal.  

Over the first 19 games of the season, spanning October and November, Vincent struggled, averaging just three points per game on inefficient shooting. His performances were so underwhelming that he recorded multiple scoreless outings and eventually fell out of the rotation entirely. 

For a player earning $11M per season with another year left on his contract, the situation was far from ideal for head coach JJ Redick and the Lakers’ front office.  

The struggles led to questions about whether Vincent could recapture the form that made him a key figure in the Miami Heat’s 2023 NBA Finals run. But as the season progressed, he gradually found his rhythm. 

A breakout performance on March 10 against the Brooklyn Nets saw him erupt for 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including six three-pointers. It was the kind of offensive explosion the Lakers had been waiting for, a reminder of why they had invested in him.  

Since that turning point, Vincent has steadily cemented his place in the rotation. Over 16 games in March, he averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 44.1% from beyond the arc on 5.8 attempts per game.