This Marcus Smart stat originally appeared on The Sporting News and will shock Lakers fans. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
After losing to the New York Knicks on Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers enter Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets looking to get back in the winning column.
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Fortunately for head coach JJ Redick, Austin Reaves returned to action for the first time in 19 games after recovering from a calf injury.
He came off the bench for 21 minutes and scored 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Luka Doncic and LeBron James shouldered most of the scoring duties, combining for 49 points. Jake LaRavia impressed with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
That said, one of Los Angeles’ best players this season isn’t known for scoring. Although Marcus Smart only scored 6 points on Tuesday, he led the team with a plus-minus of +30.
This continues Smart’s impact in his first season with the Lakers, where he led the team in plus-minus heading into the All-Star break.
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Smart’s health is particularly encouraging, having appeared in 39 games for Los Angeles, starting 32 of them.
In the previous two seasons, Smart was plagued by injuries. He played a total of 34 games last season and only played 20 games in the 2023-24 season.
With the win, Los Angeles ends an eight-game road trip at 5-3, with its only losses coming against the Clippers, Cavaliers and Knicks.
The Lakers will play the Philadelphia 76ers again on Thursday. This will be the first of eight home games.