Lakers’ Injury Situation Raises Eyebrows After Latest Marcus Smart Update

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, with the storied franchise peaking at the right time with the NBA playoffs right around the corner.

However, the team has been playing without arguably its best defender, veteran guard Marcus Smart, who has been battling a right ankle contusion and has been sidelined for five straight games.

Marcus Smart Ruled Out vs. Thunder

Unfortunately for the Lakers, Smart will be out for a sixth consecutive game, as he has been ruled out for Thursday's road matchup against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on the road at the Paycom Center.

Marcus Smart will miss a sixth straight game with a right ankle contusion pic.twitter.com/ruHabJ0LnQ
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 1, 2026

At this point, with Smart set to miss his sixth straight game, there's concern about his status moving forward, with the playoffs set to get underway on April 18.

Even though the Lakers continue to fire on all cylinders, as they've won four of their last five games without Smart on the floor, the team is a better all-around squad with the defensive-minded guard available.

With Smart still on the mend, the Lakers have given sharpshooting newcomer Luke Kennard more minutes off the bench. Second-year guard Bronny James is also seeing more time on the floor rather than spending most of his time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.

Jake LaRavia has also seen a significant boost in minutes, as he has played 28 minutes or more in four of the last five games. Although it has been an up-and-down season for the veteran forward, he is coming off his best game since February 28 against the Golden State Warriors, where he finished with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Solid performance by Jake LaRavia last night (14 pts, 7 rebs, 100% from the floor) PLUS this highlight 👀 @liveonassist pic.twitter.com/gnvL2n3Tbg
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 1, 2026

During Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, LaRavia stepped up as a starter, dropping 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and a steal while shooting 100 percent from the floor, hitting all five of his shots.

If the Lakers can continue to get solid performances from LaRavia and Kennard during Smart's absence, Los Angeles might be able to get through this final stretch of the regular season and secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference behind the San Antonio Spurs and Thunder, which bodes well for a favorable first-round playoff matchup.

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