Lakers Injury Report Adds Another Name As Team Struggles to Stay Healthy Early

It's just the second week of the season, and the Los Angeles Lakers' injury report is not looking pretty. Everyone expected LeBron James to miss the first few weeks of the year, but the addition of Luka Doncic’s injury was a huge blow. Now, another important Lakers rotation piece is set to miss time with an injury.

Chris Haynes reported Monday that, “Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent sustained a slight ligament tear and sprained ligaments in left ankle and will be sidelined 2-4 weeks, league sources tell me.”

With Vincent set to miss time, the Lakers are in danger of slipping down the Western Conference standings. Right now, they have James, Doncic, Vincent, Adou Thiero, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, and Marcus Smart all on their injury report heading into Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

That means not only are the Lakers going to be missing their two best players, but multiple other rotation pieces as well. 

What’s so tough about the Vincent injury is that without LeBron or Luka, and now Vincent, the Lakers are desperately lacking ball handlers. Austin Reaves has done a great job picking up the slack, but the Lakers were already thin at guard. Now they are even thinner. 

If Marcus Smart (currently listed as questionable) can’t play, the Lakers are going to be in a tough spot. Bronny James is the next player on the depth chart at guard. He certainly isn’t ready to take on real responsibility on the court. 

Maybe Reaves will be enough to have the Lakers tread water until Doncic returns. However, if Doncic’s injury lasts more than just a week or two, the Lakers may be in real trouble.