The Los Angeles Lakers will begin their 2023-24 regular season schedule on Tuesday night on the road versus the Denver Nuggets. This game will give them an opportunity to gain a measure of revenge against the team that swept them in the Western Conference finals not too long ago.
Although no one on the Lakers suffered any significant injuries during the preseason, a few of their players have been banged up. In particular, guard Gabe Vincent, who started the preseason strong, missed the team’s last three games due to back tightness.
Fortunately, Vincent has been cleared to play versus Denver on Thursday. Meanwhile, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who was scheduled to be re-evaluated on Friday, is day-to-day, and rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is still under evaluation (h/t Lakers Daily).
Jarred Vanderbilt (left heel soreness) is day-to-day, per Darvin Ham. Gabe Vincent is cleared to play on opening night in Denver. Jalen Hood-Schifino is still being evaluated.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 21, 2023
In his last game, which was on Wednesday, Oct. 11 versus the Sacramento Kings, Vincent scored 18 points on 7-of-12 field-goal shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range. His defense, as well as his ability to hit outside shots and occasionally handle the ball, will be key to the Lakers’ chances of winning the NBA championship this season.