Lakers To Be Without One Key Player vs Suns

Oct 31, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The 15-4 Los Angeles Lakers will be testing their seven-game win streak on the second night of a back-to-back Monday against a chippy 12-9 Phoenix Suns club that is seeking to end its own two-game losing skid.

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Los Angeles will be mostly healthy, but one critical rotation piece will miss a second straight game.

Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, three-time All-Defensive Team guard Marcus Smart will sit out as he grapples with a lingering lower back injury.

pic.twitter.com/n4oRmSBxix

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 1, 2025

Although he may not quite be at his Defensive Player of the Year-level Boston Celtics prime, Smart has remained surprisingly effective with Los Angeles thus far, following a pair of lost seasons split between the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.

He inked a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Lakers over the summer, and has thus far been worthy ever penny. Provided this lower back issue doesn't affect him by the end of the season, he'll have been a worthy hire.

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The 31-year-old has been averaging 9.3 points on .408/.254/.938 shooting splits, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a night through his first 14 regular season contests (nine starts) with the Lakers.

According to the NBA's latest injury report, Phoenix will be without starting shooting guard Jalen Green due to a right hamstring strain and combo forward Isaiah Livers thanks to a right hip strain. Suns forward Ryan Dunn is probable to play through a right wrist sprain.

Top Lakers Defensive Options Without Smart

Without Smart, Gabe Vincent becomes LA's best point-of-attack perimeter defender among its active roster. Jarred Vanderbilt has felt the rotational squeeze from JJ Redick, thanks to his offensive deficiencies. But he could conceivably be dusted off to slow down the Suns' attack.

Another new Lakers summer signing, center Deandre Ayton, has been an absolutely critical defensive presence in the post for LA. The former No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft (ahead of future teammate Luka Doncic, the No. 3 selection), Ayton has been averaging 16.0 points on 71 percent shooting from the field and 66.7 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 assists and 0.7 steals a night.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.