The Los Angeles Lakers' superstars continue to do their job in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
LeBron James continues to defy father time. Anthony Davis is having his best season defensively. D'Angelo Russell is playing the best basketball in recent years.
However, there is no denying that they are still nowhere near their goal-a playoff spot and home-court advantage-and they will need every help they can get.
The Purple and Gold look good after the All-Star break, winning four of their last seven games. However, that only puts them in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
The starters are productive, but they need the bench to do more. So far, they are 23rd in the league in terms of bench scoring.
This might be solved once Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent return.
The duo only produces a combined 11 points per game, but they were effective relievers before their injury, playing 20 and 25 minutes, respectively.
Read more: Knicks Jalen Brunson Injury Update
Vincent, acquired over the summer after the Miami Heat's sensational final run, has only played five games so far, preventing the Lakers from utilizing its full roster strength.
Vanderbilt has played 25 games this season but hasn't seen court time since February 22. He joined the Lakers mid-season of 2023 and was re-signed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension.
Jarred Vanderbilt injury update
The 2018 41st draft pick was diagnosed with a right mid-foot sprain 29 days ago, and it was feared that he might be out for the season.
"I'm told that Jarred Vanderbilt has suffered what was described to me as a 'significant right foot injury,'" NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said.
"There's concern that he could be lost for the rest of the season. They're consulting with specialists this week and going through that foot injury."
Fans can calm down now as the diagnosis was not as heavy as expected. During their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Vanderbilt was spotted walking on the sidelines without walking boots.
The Lakers, however, is yet to release update on the young power forward.
Gabe Vincent return
The 27-year-old shooting guard has spent more time on the sidelines than Vanderbilt.
His recovery is trending in the right direction, and Shams Charania confirmed that he is already doing basketball stuff.
"Gabe Vincent is doing more and more on the court...Barring any setbacks, his hope is still mid to late March to get back in the lineup for the Lakers," he said during an appearance on Fan Duel TV.
Push for playoffs
Lakers have the eight most demanding schedules, according to Tankathon.
Nine of their upcoming 11 games will be against above .500 teams, including hosting the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
They are 2.5 games behind a Top 6 finish for a direct postseason appearance and six games above the 11thspot.
They reached the postseason of 2023 via play-in, although they needed to go 8-2 in their last 10.
Their 2022-2023 season ended after they were swept by eventual champions Denver Nuggets in four close games.
Related article: Lakers Crack Thunder Behind Dominant Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell Performances
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