The Los Angeles Lakers responded to a three-game losing streak and a critical team meeting with one of their most complete performances of the 2025 season, defeating the Sacramento Kings 125-101 at Crypto.com Arena. With Austin Reaves sidelined for at least a month and Gabe Vincent also out, the Lakers turned to a rising talent: Nick Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. Grabs the Moment
The 21-year-old guard on a two-way contract delivered a starring performance off the bench, scoring 21 points on eight-for-14 shooting, including five three-pointers. His efficiency — starting seven for seven from the field on his first seven attempts — showcased why the Lakers signed him.
“With AR out, we need another ball handler to run some sets, and the most important thing is he was super efficient tonight, getting us into our offense even under pressure,” LeBron James said.
Smith has already demonstrated his scoring potential in high-pressure moments earlier in the season, including a 25-point performance in Portland and 12 points off the bench against Toronto. The guard credited his preparation and mindset for his success.
“Well, in this league, you’ve got to have confidence,” Smith said. “I try to make sure every day is my game day. I try to make sure I prepare my body when my name is called. And tonight was one of those nights.”
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Redick’s Rotation Adjustments
Head coach JJ Redick has used the injuries to reconfigure the Lakers’ rotation, giving Doncic and James staggered minutes to lead the offense independently while Smith takes on more responsibility. “It just gives more time for those guys to sort of be the quarterback without the other one,” Redick said. “Having said that, we ran a lot of stuff for them to be in two-man action, to be part of the play together tonight.”
The move allowed Smith to contribute meaningfully during crucial stretches, providing scoring and ball-handling relief while keeping the Lakers’ offense flowing.
Building Trust and Confidence
Smith emphasized the significance of earning trust from the coaching staff after limited opportunities earlier in the season. “Coaching staff got a lot of trust in me to go out there and do what I do, and I haven’t had that in a long time, so it’s definitely been very helpful,” he said. Receiving the game ball from Redick was a symbolic moment, though Smith immediately deflected the attention to team contribution.
“It means everything,” Smith said. “Just going home and watching film and making sure I’m ready. … I’m blessed to be here. Just to have the opportunity to play with the Lakers, even be in the league.”
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Looking Ahead
With Reaves expected to miss at least a month and Vincent still recovering, the Lakers will lean on Smith’s scoring, confidence, and versatility. His ability to fill the void left by the team’s injured stars provides a necessary lift and an intriguing glimpse of the Lakers’ future rotation options.
“Hopefully this is the first of a mini win streak,” forward Jake LaRavia said. If Smith continues to perform at this level, the Lakers may have found a reliable secondary scorer ready to step up whenever the team needs him.