Smart will start Sunday's game against the Kings, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart will enter the starting five due to Austin Reaves (calf) being out of the lineup. In his last four starts, Smart has averaged 11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.3 minutes per contest.

Smart (shoulder) returned during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Rockets, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart appeared to injure his right shoulder during the first quarter and ran to the locker room. However, the issue ended up being fairly minor, and he checked back into the game to begin the second quarter.

Smart appeared to injure his right shoulder during the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Rockets and ran back to the locker room, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart wasn't able to move his shoulder as he ran back to the locker room following a collision with Steven Adams. He should be considered questionable to return.

Smart had five points (1-12 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes during Saturday's 103-88 loss to the Clippers.

EDGE Analysis

Although Smart has been effective during the Lakers' extensive injury issues, he was ice-cold in the lopsided defeat, recording his lowest point total since Nov. 18. Smart uncharacteristically converted only one of 12 shot attempts and made little contribution elsewhere. Smart was one of several players who failed to provide adequate support for LeBron James, who took it upon himself to keep the Lakers relevant in the matchup.

Smart logged 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 28 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 143-135 victory over the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

Smart continued to fill in for Austin Reaves (calf) during Thursday's victory. Reaves incurred his second consecutive absence and is scheduled to be re-evaluated soon, but Smart should continue to excel while Reaves is sidelined. Smart has averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists during the absence. He's also feeling it beyond the arc over the past week, with 14 drilled three-pointers out of 28 attempts across the past three games.

Smart will enter the Lakers' starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Suns, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach JJ Reddick will turn to Smart to fill the void in the starting lineup left by Austin Reaves, who is set to miss at least one week due to a Grade 1 left calf strain. Smart started in nine games earlier in the season, during which he averaged 11.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 threes and 2.3 steals over 31.0 minutes per game.

Smart (back) contributed 26 points (9-16 FG, 8-14 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 28 minutes during Wednesday's 132-119 loss to the Spurs.

EDGE Analysis

After missing the past six games due to a left lumbar muscle strain, Smart made a splash in his return, landing eight triples en route to a season-high scoring haul. While Smart's stellar outing was encouraging, he's a career 32.4 percent shooter from downtown who is unlikely to have many eight-triple games left in him. Smart can still provide some value as a streaming option for three-pointers, steals and assists, though his opportunity to play big minutes will be contingent on the availability of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James.

Smart (back) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart will snap a six-game absence due to a back injury. With the veteran guard back in action, Gabe Vincent, Adou Thiero and Jake LaRavia are candidates for a dip in playing time. Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per contest over 14 regular-season games thus far.

Smart (back) intends to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach JJ Redick said Sunday that the Lakers were targeting Wednesday for Smart's return from a six-game absence due to a back injury, and the veteran guard plans to "give it a go" against San Antonio. His status likely won't be confirmed until sometime closer to Wednesday's tipoff at 10:00 p.m. ET, though. Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per night over 14 games this season.

Head coach JJ Redick noted that while Smart (back) remains day-to-day, the team hopes to have him back for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart will miss his sixth straight game Sunday due to a left lumbar muscle strain, but he seems to be trending towards a return. Gabe Vincent, Nick Smith and Dalton Knecht are candidates for increased roles as long as Smart remains out of the lineup.