Marcus Smart Rejoins Lakers, Strengthening Lineup Against Suns After 9-Game Absence

Marcus Smart returned to the Lakers’ active list after a nine-game absence. He was upgraded to available for Friday’s game with a minutes restriction.

Filmogaz.com notes Marcus Smart Rejoins Lakers, Strengthening Lineup Against Suns After 9-Game Absence as the team manages final regular-season minutes. The club plans to gradually increase his court time.

Background of the absence

Smart missed nine games while recovering from a right ankle contusion. The injury followed an on-court collision with Orlando center Goga Bitadze on March 21.

He first appeared on the injury report before the March 23 game in Detroit. That night ended the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak.

Team injuries and context

Five games after that streak ended, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered soft-tissue injuries in Oklahoma City. Those injuries sidelined them for at least the rest of the regular season.

The absences cost the Lakers nearly 60 points in production per game. The team has had to reshuffle ball-handling and defensive assignments.

Coaching staff praise and leadership

Coach J.J. Redick and assistant Scott Brooks praised Smart’s leadership. They said he has a natural teaching instinct and strong communication skills.

Smart has been active on the bench. He pulled teammates aside during timeouts and offered instruction.

Defensive impact and rotation implications

Smart has a team-best plus-minus of +4.0 this season. His defensive rating when on the court is 110.9, the best mark on the roster.

With Smart and Jake LaRavia each averaging over a steal per game, the Lakers immediately gain defensive intensity. Redick wants to identify a nine-player rotation before the first playoff round.

Smart figures to be a candidate to join LeBron James in the starting five. The team also needs a secondary ball handler beside Luke Kennard.

Playing plan for finale and playoffs

Smart is on a minutes restriction for the back-to-back against Phoenix. The Lakers intend to ramp him up in the regular-season finale against Utah on Sunday.

Redick emphasized Smart’s diligence since returning to court. The staff remains cautious about his workload heading into the postseason.

Other injury updates

Backup center Jaxson Hayes missed his third straight game on Friday. He is managing a left foot issue, according to the coaching staff.

Redick said he hopes Hayes can return for the season finale on Sunday. The team will monitor his condition closely.