Marcus Smart Poised for Return as Lakers Gear Up for NBA Cup Clash
So, here’s what’s happening with Marcus Smart and the Los Angeles Lakers right now, and it’s definitely good news for L.A. fans. After sitting out the last six games with lingering back issues, Smart has said he expects to be back on the floor for the Lakers’ NBA Cup matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. For a team looking to make another deep run in this tournament, having a veteran guard like him available again could make a real difference.
Smart last played on November 25, and since then he’s been dealing with strains and spasms—nothing dramatic, just the typical wear and tear that builds up over more than ten years in the league. During the team’s practice on Tuesday, he sounded optimistic. He mentioned that his back felt good, that he passed all the tests they ran, and that the plan was to give it a try in the game. Of course, he’ll see how everything responds, but at this point, all signs are pointing toward him being available.
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He also explained that the injury wasn’t tied to any one moment. Instead, it was just the accumulated workload of a long career, paired with adjusting to playing heavy minutes again after not doing so consistently for a couple of seasons. The Lakers’ medical staff, according to Smart, has been balancing rest and rehab carefully—keeping him active enough that things don’t tighten up, but not rushing him back too quickly. And right now, he says everything feels great.
Before the injury, Smart had appeared in 16 games this season and averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and nearly 2 steals in just under 27 minutes per game. Even though the Lakers went 4-2 during his absence, the added depth and defensive edge he brings are always welcome, especially in a high-stakes elimination-style game.
And speaking of the NBA Cup: the Lakers already won the inaugural tournament back in 2023, so they’re in a position to become the first team ever to win it twice. Their group-stage path this season was smooth—they went undefeated. Now, they’re facing a Spurs team that has been surprisingly strong despite missing Victor Wembanyama, who remains out with a calf injury. San Antonio has leaned heavily on guards De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle and has still managed to go 8-3 without their towering superstar.
So with Smart likely returning, the Lakers are getting a timely boost. His leadership, physical defense, and ability to steady the backcourt could be exactly what they need as they try to push deeper into the Cup. All eyes will be on that matchup Wednesday night to see how he looks and whether the Lakers can keep their momentum rolling.
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