PHILADELPHIA — After being sidelined for six consecutive games because of back ailments, including Sunday’s road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Lakers Coach JJ Redick is hoping Marcus Smart will be back in the lineup in his team’s next game.

Smart wasn’t available Sunday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, sitting out because of left lumbar muscle strain – another change in injury designation after being listed with lower back injury management in the previous three games and back spasms in his first two absences.

The 12th-year guard went through an on-court workout Sunday morning with player development/assistant coach Ty Abbott during the portion of the team’s shootaround that was open to viewing for media members.

“Over the last couple days, he’s [gotten] closer,” Redick said preg

See Full Page