Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham did not provide details about the injured players: Cam Reddish, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent.
With all three missing a lot of the season, Ham’s words were cautious.
“[Vincent]’s going through his individual process. It’s still ongoing, but it’s in a really positive way. Same for Vando,” Ham informed reporters on March 20. “Cam was able to participate today, and we look forward to seeing him play on [March 21].”
Reddish has missed the last four games and seven of the last 29 contests.
He became an important player after being put into the starting lineup due to injuries. Injuries have been a problem throughout his career, and this season is no different.
The Lakers wing is averaging 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while making 37.7% of his shots from beyond the arc in 26 starts this season. His availability is a positive step for the Lakers in an injury-plagued season.
Conflicting Reports on Lakers’ Injuries Emerge
This comes after a report from CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter stating that all three players would be out for the season
“Sources tell @CBSSports that Los Angeles Lakers players Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent will miss the rest of the season,” Reiter posted on X on March 19. “While Vanderbilt still could return, sources say, the expectation is that will not happen. @espn first reported the news on Wood.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wood’s surgery.
What Wojanrowski doesn’t say in that report, is that Wood would for certain miss the rest of the season. Neither Ham nor the Lakers have suggested as much at this point either.
“ESPN Sources with [Dave McMenamin]: Los Angeles Lakers F Christian Wood will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks,” Wojnarowski reported in a post on X on March 18.
The Stein Line’s Marc Stein also offered a report about Vincent that contradicted Reiter’s.
“Lakers G Gabe Vincent is nearing a return and intends to play again this season unless there are any setbacks, according to sources @TheSteinLine,” Stein reported on X on March 19. “Vincent has played in just 5 games as a Laker and underwent arthroscopic surgery (left knee) in late December.”
Darvin Ham’s Rotations Now Not a Major Concern for Lakers
Vanderbilt (29 games) has played more than Vincent (five games) this season. But neither player has had the impact the Lakers expected at the start of the season.
All three of Reddish, Vanderbilt, and Vincent are under contract for next season. Perhaps the Lakers take a careful approach with them considering how long they’ve been out. The team’s rotations are clearer without them at this point.
Ham faced criticism, some internally, about his rotations earlier in the season.
Injuries to Vanderbilt and Vincent influenced Ham’s decision-making. They forced him to experiment with different combinations to figure out what worked.
As they approach the end of the season, their rotations are likely to shorten anyway. Even if all three players return to active status for the Lakers, getting them back into shape and integrating them into the game plan could be challenging for Ham.
