NEW ORLEANS — As Gabe Vincent arrived at the start of the second quarter for his first pass in the Lakers’ 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, he was about to provide a glimpse of what they did. missed him this season.
Less than a minute into the second, Vincent made what Austin Reaves called “one of the best plays of the game.”
Vincent dove down the court to steal a bad pass from the Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr. before throwing the ball to Taurean Prince to spark the Lakers’ offense in transition.
“Every possession he’s competing on defense,” Reaves said. “Just that heart he plays with.”
But what surrounded that play encouraged Vincent to find his offensive rhythm after missing most of the season with left knee soreness.
Less than 40 seconds into the third, Vincent made a corner 3-pointer off an assist from LeBron James to cut the Pelicans’ lead to 36-29.
Three minutes later, Vincent made his second 3-pointer of the game, giving the Lakers a 41-38 lead in a quarter in which they outscored the Pelicans 34-16.
Vincent’s 9-minute stint in the second half gave the Lakers the boost they needed, with the veteran guard going +12 in the quarter.
“Just his toughness, his grit, his ability to make shots,” coach Darvin Ham said. “And like I said, it will come. As his legs become stronger and stronger beneath him, his shooting ability will also increase.
“He has this understated tenacity about himself. Whatever you need him to do, he will do it. He’s going to make sure he executes it and start on defense with him. The defense, the diving, everything, he’s a hell of a competitor.
Vincent finished with nine points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. His 2-for-4 3-point shooting was the first time he made multiple 3-pointers in a game this season.
He played in just seven regular season games before Tuesday’s play-in game after undergoing surgery on his left knee on December 27, missing time previously due to swelling, before returning on March 31.
“Every game I feel better, naturally,” Vincent said. “It is not possible to replace the representatives. And I think that’s something I’m missing the most this year, whether it’s reps in practice or just shooting or rhythm type stuff. But with each match, I naturally feel better and always better when we win.
Vincent was also disruptive defensively while taking on bigger defensive challenges, guarding Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram for stretches after primarily defending CJ McCollum.
“He’s a ballhawk,” All-Star big man 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 harder team to beat.
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