The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a bittersweet update on Tuesday, confirming that Marcus Smart will miss a fifth consecutive game when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers while also celebrating his latest career milestone.Â
The 32-year-old guard was nominated for the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, an honor voted on by NBA players themselves for players who offer more than the box scores.
Congrats to Marcus on being named a finalist for the Teammate of the Year Award ð pic.twitter.com/ghcrIIuiPe
â Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 31, 2026
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At the same time, head coach JJ Redick reiterated that Smart remains day-to-day, with the focus on a full recovery whenever he is ready to return.Â
Smart last played two weeks ago against the Orlando Magic. He has been a key starter this season who has appeared in 60 games with 53 starts since joining the Lakers last offseason on a two-year, $11 million deal following a buyout from the Washington Wizards.
Los Angeles Lakers star named finalist for prestigious award
Smart has seen his season rewarded in full value with a nomination for Teammate of the Year.Â
The Twyman-Stokes is significant because it is exclusively voted on by the players to celebrate those players who bring more to the roster than production. His nomination signifies that peers across the league see him as a great locker-room glue guy.
Not just in the locker room, Smart has had an effect on society at large.Â
Getty Marcus Smart of The Los Angeles Lakers.
Just days ago, he visited UCLA Medical Centre to support the foundationâs latest project which is dedicated to his late brother, Todd, who passed away from leukemia.Â
That is the acts of selfless philanthropy together with leadership that the award is meant to honor.Â
Smartâs recent impact on the Lakers
Smart is averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, which is below his career average but merely his presence on the team shows why the Lakers targeted him last summer.Â
He has been one of the most reliable presences on the team despite last playing at least 60 games in season back in the 2022-23 campaign. He has also started over 50 games just three times in his career before this season.
On the court, he has logged heavy defensive minutes this season and his 1.4 steals per game are among the highest on the team. He brought that defensive tenacity that made him a staple for the Boston Celtics for almost a decade.Â
Despite sharing the locker room with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Smart has stood out in his own way.Â
His latest injury is the first time this season he has missed a significant stretch. The Lakers hope that he will be back to full health in time for the postseason.Â
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