Lakers Rumors: Gabe Vincent Plans to Return from Surgery on Knee Injury This Season

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Gabe Vincent has played only five games this year due to knee surgery, but he's reportedly not ready to give up on the season just yet.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Vincent "is nearing a return and intends to play again this season barring any setbacks."

Vincent underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late December to address lingering issues. He was given a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks, and The Athletic's Shams Charania, reported earlier this month that he was targeting a return in mid-to-late March.

The Lakers signed Vincent to a three-year, $33 million contract this past offseason after he spent the previous four years with the Miami Heat and made a name for himself during Miami's impressive playoff run to the 2023 NBA Finals. While he was projected to receive a major role after the departure of veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, his injury derailed that expectation.

In the five games he played, Vincent averaged 5.4 points and 3.0 assists in 25.4 minutes of action while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from three-point range. It was a far cry from his showing in the 2023 postseason in which he averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 assists while connecting on 37.8 percent of his three-pointers.

At 37-32, the Lakers could use all the help they can get with the playoffs quickly approaching. Los Angeles is ranked ninth in the Western Conference and appears destined for a trip to the play-in tournament, so getting Vincent back will add some depth to the point guard position during the home stretch of the season.