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Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without Marcus Smart again Tuesday night, but his absence is only part of a bigger set of questions as the team prepares to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Smart has been ruled out for a fifth consecutive game with a right ankle contusion. The veteran guard has not played since the Lakers’ game against Orlando, where he experienced multiple awkward falls.
“He’s day-to-day. Yeah, we want him to feel like he’s 100 percent,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said Monday.
Smart’s Absence Continues
Smart has taken on a key defensive and leadership role this season, averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals across 60 games.
His absence has opened the door for Jake LaRavia to continue starting at small forward, while the Lakers have adjusted their rotation to compensate for the missing perimeter defense.
Despite that, Los Angeles has managed to stay productive during his absence.
Lakers Continue Surge
The Lakers are coming off a 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards, improving their record during a late-season surge.
LeBron James led the way with 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, recording his third triple-double of the season and the 125th of his career.
The win marked the Lakers’ 12th victory in their last 13 games, continuing a stretch that has positioned them among the hottest teams in the league entering the postseason push.
Jaxson Hayes added 19 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night, while Austin Reaves contributed 19 points and nine assists.
Lakers Lineup Questions Extend Beyond Smart
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is a game-time decision against his former team.
While Smart’s absence remains notable, the Lakers are also monitoring LeBron James’ status.
James is listed as questionable with left foot injury management, leaving uncertainty around the team’s availability entering Tuesday’s game.
If James is unable to play, added responsibility would fall to Luka Doncic, who is set to return after serving a one-game suspension for reaching 16 technical fouls.
Doncic Returns Amid MVP-Level Run
GettyLakers guard Luka Doncic winks and points to a player after a play in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena.
Doncic returns in the middle of a dominant stretch that has fueled the Lakers’ rise.
Over the month of March, he averaged 37.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists, including a streak of 12 consecutive 30-point games.
He also delivered a 60-point performance — the first by a Laker since Kobe Bryant’s final game — helping reinsert himself into the MVP conversation late in the season.
Playoff Picture Tightens
The Lakers (49-26) remain in position to secure a playoff berth and Pacific Division title, though the race is still active.
They would have clinched with a win over Washington and a Phoenix loss, but the Suns’ victory delayed that outcome. They could clinch a playoff berth — along with the Pacific Division title — with a win over Cleveland or a loss by the Suns.
With just seven games remaining, every result carries weight as Los Angeles looks to solidify its standing in the Western Conference.
Focus Remains on Availability
For a team building momentum, availability remains a central factor.
The Lakers have shown they can win without key players, but their ceiling is highest when fully intact.
With Smart sidelined, James’ status uncertain and Doncic returning, Tuesday’s game presents both opportunity and uncertainty as Los Angeles continues its push toward the postseason.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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