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Lakers’ Marcus Smart returns vs. Suns, bolstering lineup after 9-game absence

April 11, 2026

LOS ANGELES — Marcus Smart watched from the sidelines as the Lakers went through dramatic changes since he first appeared on the injury report before a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 23.

That night, the Lakers saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end.

Five games later, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered soft-tissue injuries in Oklahoma City that sidelined them for at least the rest of the regular season, costing the team nearly 60 points in production per game.

Smart missed nine games recovering from a right ankle contusion, among other ailments, after Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze fell on top of him on March 21. During those past few weeks, the veteran guard has been visible on the sidelines, pulling teammates aside for additional instruction during timeouts or rallying the troops as Lakers coach JJ Redick discusses in-game strategy with his assistants.

“(Assistant coach Scott Brooks) and I talked a couple months ago, we were like, (Smart) may end up being a coach,” Redick said Thursday. “He likes speaking in front of the group. He likes teaching. It’s a really good quality. He’s been great for a number of our players, and been great for a number of our young guys. I think it’s just his natural instinct.”

Now, the Lakers need Smart – who has recorded a team-best 4.0 in plus-minus this season – more than ever. Given their injuries, they have lacked a secondary ball handler next to Luke Kennard and a shutdown defender on the court. On Friday, the Lakers upgraded Smart to available (on a minutes restriction) for the second game of a back-to-back set against the Phoenix Suns.

“We’re excited to get him back,” Redick said, adding that they will continue to ramp him up in the regular-season finale against Utah on Sunday. “For all the reasons I’ve talked about over the last week. He’s been pretty, pretty diligent since he’s been able to get back on the court.”

Redick has discussed needing to identify a nine-player rotation before their first-round playoff series begins, and Smart is the obvious shoo-in to join LeBron James in the starting five.

Having Smart and Jake LaRavia, both of whom average more than a steal per game, available, immediately bolsters the Lakers’ defensive intensity. When Smart is on the court, the Lakers have a 110.9 defensive rating (average points allowed per 100 possessions), the best mark of any player on the roster.

That being said, Redick was relishing the opportunity to have Smart back on the court for the penultimate game of the regular season.

“He’s ready to go,” Redick said.

In other injury news, backup center Jaxson Hayes (left foot injury management) missed his third consecutive game on Friday. Redick said he’s hopeful that Hayes can play on Sunday.

Orange County Register

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Lakers’ Marcus Smart returns vs. Suns, bolstering lineup after 9-game absence

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