Marcus Smart Reflects on Return to Lakers After Injury

When Marcus Smart stepped up to the podium after the Lakers’ win against the Suns, his simple statement, “It felt very long,” carried a lot of weight.

And honestly, it was quite a long stretch.

This wasn’t merely about the nine games he missed due to a right ankle contusion. The last three weeks had been a whirlwind for both him and the Lakers.

Smart’s injury occurred during a victory over the Magic on March 21, as the Lakers were on the brink of completing a nine-game win streak, their longest since the 2019-20 season.

Back then, Luka Doncic was performing at a high level, earning the Western Conference Player of the Month title and helping the Lakers secure 12 wins in 13 games. The team was finally hitting their stride.

But the landscape was different when he returned.

While Smart was out, the Lakers lost that winning streak, starting with a defeat to Detroit on March 23. Unfortunately, they also suffered injuries to key players Doncic and Austin Reaves, who were sidelined for the rest of the season.

“It hurt us,” Smart admitted. “It affected our morale. It took some time to regroup, but we trust each other. We talked about how this is new for us, and we’re figuring it out together. It means everyone has to step up, myself included. I might need to take on more responsibility on both ends of the court.”

He quickly found his footing, reminding everyone of what the Lakers had missed during his absence.

What do they expect from him now, especially with the playoffs on the horizon?

In a pivotal moment during the game, after Smart missed a floater over Suns’ big man Oso Ighodalo, he continued to hustle. Ryan Dunn secured a defensive rebound, but Smart’s persistence was evident. He dived for the ball alongside Maxi Kleber, eventually retrieving it and assisting Jared Vanderbilt for a dunk that expanded the Lakers’ lead to 75-58.

“He was outstanding,” praised coach JJ Reddick, adding that the play encapsulated the team’s effort throughout the match.

Smart has been recognized as a player who just knows how to win. LeBron James noted, “He makes those winning plays. You can see it in the chemistry he’s developing on the court.”

Returning from injury was no picnic for Smart. He described it as “stressful,” especially as the team faced a tough stretch without him, going 5-4 amid injury setbacks.

“Watching my teammates struggle without me, especially given their circumstances, was hard,” Smart shared. “But the support from coaches and the training staff was invaluable. We worked tirelessly to ensure I didn’t push things too quickly and risk further injury.”

Smart is expected to see increased playing time in the regular-season finale against the Jazz.

His true impact likely won’t be reflected in box score stats alone. The moments like the one he shared with Kleber are what the team needs heading into the playoffs.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge,” Smart acknowledged. “Injuries are part of the game. It’s always a test of who can stay healthy as playoffs approach. Yes, there’s a bit of luck involved, but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. It might not seem like we’re in a great spot, but we are optimistic. We’re going to navigate through this together.”