"Need Marcus Smart to dive at his ankle" - Lakers Fans Reeling as Dorian Finney-Smith Joins Growing List of Injury Comebacks Against Purple & Gold

The Houston Rockets confirmed that Dorian Finney-Smith will make his season debut on Christmas Day against the LA Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Finney-Smith has missed the first 27 games of the 2025-26 NBA season due to an offseason ankle surgery. The Rockets also reported that the forward will be on a strict minutes restriction.

In his return, he will face his former team. When he was in LA, he appeared in 43 games during the 2024-25 season. Finney-Smith was a midseason acquisition by the franchise when they traded away D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks.

He averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 assists for LA.

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Fans have noticed the growing trend of players coming back from injury against the Purple & Gold. On X (formerly Twitter), fans revealed their thoughts on DFS's return against his former team.

"Need smart to dive at his ankle," a fan said. "They said we lied by saying everyone comes back to play the team," another fan commented. "Bro didn’t even have a ramp-up period or timetable LMAOOO," one fan said.

More fans pointed out the trend of returning players.

"NBA players when they tear their ACL but have LA next on the schedule," someone commented. "DFS left Lakers and returns to play on Christmas, classic old team curse!" a comment read. "Not shocked 😂😂 hasn’t played all year but saw lakers and magically healed," a fan commented.

During the summer, Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million contract to join the Rockets.

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The Lakers' Christmas gift is a positive update about Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic missed LA's rematch with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. It was the team's second meeting with their division rival, after a narrow 116-114 win for LA the first time they played. Doncic had 29 points and six assists against the Suns.

However, he missed their game due to a lower left leg contusion. Ahead of their Christmas Day contest, NBA insider Marc J. Spears reported a positive update on Doncic's status.

"Lakers say Luka Dončić (lower left leg contusion) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game versus Houston," Spears posted on X.

Lower leg contusions have been the main reason why Doncic has missed some games. Coach JJ Redick said that the team plans to stay cautious moving forward to prevent the Slovenian star from suffering more setbacks.

“It’s happened a bunch this season,” he said. “We’re looking at ways to better protect his legs when there are collisions like that.”

Doncic has been the team's best player this season, averaging 34.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists through 21 games.

Edited by Reign Amurao