Smart's defense on KD helps Lakers to 2-0 lead

Which was when Smart, fittingly, hit his fifth 3 of the night to put the Lakers back up by eight with 2:23 to go and give them some breathing room down the stretch.

"He hit a big one," Redick said.

While Redick said before the game that Reaves had started his return to play progression, confirming ESPN's Shams Charania's report that he began on-court 1-on-1 workouts as he continues to rehabilitate from the Grade 2 oblique strain that's kept him out since April 2, the coach did not provide an updated timeline on when Reaves could be back in the lineup.

Redick added that Doncic had yet to begin his return to play progression from the Grade 2 left hamstring strain that's also sidelined him since April 2, and provided no timetable update on the Slovenian star, either.

In other words, as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, Smart will still be as important as ever.

"I can look at him and he knows what the hell I'm talking about," said James, who revealed that his viral meme moment from Game 1 was him making eye contact with none other than Smart to get his attention from across the court. "He can relate to me."

And Redick said that the team can relate to Smart's will to win.

"Because he has the voice he has, he can help create the belief and the confidence in our group," Redick said. "And I think he's done that."

For Smart, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season before helping the Boston Celtics make it to the 2022 NBA Finals before two injury-riddled seasons in Memphis and Washington, Game 2 served as a reminder of his capabilities.

"I'm very grateful to be doing this," Smart said. "I thank God every day, because I could have been out the league, right? Injuries and things like that. So, to be able to be back on this stage again, making the plays that I'm making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I'm just grateful."