The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Mar. 23 that Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura will not play against the Detroit Pistons due to injuries, while Maxi Kleber will be available for the game.
This development is significant as both Smart and Hachimura have played important roles for the Lakers this season. Their absence could impact the team’s rotation and performance as they approach the end of a six-game road trip.
Hachimura left Saturday’s win over the Orlando Magic in the third quarter because of right calf soreness. He has been a key scorer off the bench and one of the team’s most reliable three-point shooters. The team is being cautious with his recovery to prevent further complications.
Smart is sidelined with right ankle soreness. Known for his defensive presence, he has served as a primary point-of-attack defender and contributed crucial plays throughout games. With both players out, Jake LaRavia may replace Smart in the starting lineup due to his defensive abilities, while Luke Kennard and Jarred Vanderbilt are also expected to see increased playing time.
Kleber returns after missing seven games with a lumbar back strain. Although not always part of the regular rotation, he has delivered strong performances when called upon and may receive more minutes given current roster needs.
The Lakers are currently on a nine-game winning streak, which includes victories over several playoff-bound teams. Austin Reaves recently said that team confidence remains high during this stretch.
