Vincent finding his shooting rhythm entering the playoffs
NEW ORLEANS » As Gabe Vincent checked in at the start of the second quarter for his first playing stint of the Lakers' 110-106 play-in win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, he was about to provide a glimpse of what they've missed from him this season.
Less than one minute into the quarter, Vincent provided what Austin Reaves called “one of the best plays of the game.”
Vincent dove on the floor to steal a bad pass by the Pelicans' Larry Nance Jr. before kicking the ball out to Taurean Prince to ignite the Lakers' attack in transition.
“Every possession he's out there competing on defense,” Reaves said. “Just that heart that he plays with.”
But what surrounded that play provided encouragement that Vincent is starting to find his offensive rhythm after missing most of the season because of left knee ailments.
Less than 40 seconds into the third quarter, Vincent made a corner 3-pointer with an assist from LeBron James to cut the Pelicans' lead from 36-26 to 36-29.
Three minutes later, Vincent made his second 3 of the game, which gave the Lakers a 41-38 lead during a quarter in which they outscored the Pelicans 34-16.
Vincent's 9-minute stint in the second quarter gave the Lakers the boost they needed, with the veteran guard being a plus-12 in the quarter.
“Just his toughness, his grit, his ability to make shots,” coach Darvin Ham said. “And like I said, that will come. As his legs get stronger and stronger underneath him, his shotmaking will increase as well.
“He has this quiet toughness about himself. Whatever you need him to do, he's gonna do it. He's gonna make sure he executes it and starts with defense with him. The defense, diving on the floor, everything, he's a hell of a competitor.”
Vincent finished with nine points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. His 2-for-4 shooting on 3-pointers was the first time he made multiple 3s in a game this season.
He played just seven regular-season games before Tuesday's play-in game after having left knee surgery on Dec. 27, missing time before that with swelling, before returning on March 31.
“Each game I feel better naturally,” Vincent said. “There's no replacing reps. And I think that's something I miss most of this year, whether it's reps in practice or just getting shots up or a rhythm-type thing. But each game I feel better naturally and always better when you get a win.”
Vincent was also disruptive defensively taking on bigger defensive challenges, guarding Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in stretches after mostly defending CJ McCollum.
“He's a ballhawk,” Anthony Davis said. “And he's a very high IQ player. Just a great overall talent. High IQ player. When he's like that on the defensive end, we're just a tougher team to beat.”