How Gabe Vincent Became a Steady Influence on the Lakers’ Bench

LOS ANGELES – While it is The Lakers’ frontcourt rotation has been troubled by multiple injuriesThe Lakers’ backcourt was a topic of concern early in the 2024-25 season due to inconsistent play. But in recent months, both Gabe Vincent and Max Christie have raised the level of play for the Lakers this season.

Gabe Vincent especially has had a lasting influence off the bench for the Lakers, giving them a capable leader on the floor who has produced more consistent results with his three-point shooting.

After the Lakers’ win against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 17, Vincent talked about how his role on the second unit has shaped up this season.

“My role, I see it simply as just winning games, helping us win games,” Vincent said. “Some nights it might be purely defensive. Some nights I might still be on the ball. Some nights I might notice. But whatever the task, I’m here to help this football club win. I’m thankful to be healthy, I’m thankful to be on the field, so I’m just taking it one game at a time.”

After a A knee injury limited Gabe Vincent’s availability during his first season with the Lakers, he had a clean bill of health this season.

Gabe Vincent’s role for the Lakers

When the Lakers signed Vincent in the 2023 offseason, he excelled as the Miami Heat’s starting point guard during their run to the NBA Finals. The prevailing thought was that the Lakers were getting a pretty good addition to the rotation.

But Vincent suffered a knee injury that limited him to just 11 games in his first season with the team. He played in all five games during the Lakers’ first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets, but was ineffective.

He is healthy this season and that has been a big factor in his increased production. After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, he has found his rhythm and his role. Before the Lakers’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers last weekend, head coach JJ Reddick mentioned how he felt the team’s Dec. 1 game against the Utah Jazz, Vincent’s first start of the season, was the starting point for the rhythm he’s been in since.

“He was just in more rhythm.” He was aggressive, which I like, and he goes back to something I’ve said a few times. . .which is just if you have the effort and your spirit and your competitiveness and the things that we ask you to do, I can like make and miss shots,” Redick said. “He’s someone who’s been in a bunch of big games and been in a stressful environment, so it’s easy to trust him.”

Redick’s belief in Vincent never wavered and he was praised he praised Vincent for doing so many little things which do not always appear on the statistical sheet.

Vincent has appeared in 36 games for the Lakers this season, including five starts, averaging just over 19 minutes per game. He averaged 4.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. In his last ten gameshe shot 49.1 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the three-point line.

It’s certainly a welcome sign for the Lakers that Vincent has more closely resembled his Heat form as a reliable player.