Marcus Smart has been a steady force for the Los Angeles Lakers this season as the team’s starting shooting guard alongside Luka Doncic. Currently in his first season in L.A. after signing as a free agent, Smart has appeared in 60 games for the Lakers in 2025-26, including 53 starts.
Smart is averaging 9.5 points on 39.9% shooting, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 28.8 minutes per contest. He’s not filling up the stat sheet, but there’s no denying that the former Defensive Player of the Year has been a key cog for the Lakers this season.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The Lakers are back in action on Monday as they seek their 10th straight win. They face a tough test against the 51-19 Detroit Pistons, currently the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference.
The Lakers have submitted their injury report for the Pistons game, and the bad news is that Smart has been added to the same. The Lakers announced that Smart is officially questionable to play against Detroit due to a sore right ankle.
It is important to note that Smart exited Saturday’s win against the Orlando Magic. He left in the second quarter due to a groin issue but was able to return. It is now an ankle injury that has placed the 32-year-old in danger of missing just his second game since Feb. 12.
The good news for the Lakers is that Doncic will play against Detroit. His technical foul against the Magic was his 16th of the season, which warrants an automatic one-game suspension.
The Lakers appealed the call, and the NBA has now rescinded the technical foul. Doncic will play against Detroit, but he will be suspended if he gets another tech from now until the end of the regular season.
The Lakers enter Monday’s game with a 46-25 record and, as of writing, are third in the West.
Related: Lakers Make Luka Doncic Decision After Unfortunate News
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.