REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith had surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be ready for fall training camp for next season,

In a medical update that brings relief to Lakers fans and coaches alike, forward Dorian Finney-Smith underwent successful surgery on his left ankle this week and is expected to be fully cleared in time for the start of the 2025–26 NBA training camp. The team officially announced the procedure in a statement Thursday morning, adding that the veteran forward is “progressing well in recovery and is in high spirits.”

Finney-Smith, 32, reportedly underwent arthroscopic debridement to address persistent soreness and minor structural issues that had lingered through the second half of the 2024–25 season. Team doctors and independent specialists agreed that surgery now would allow for a full recovery before preseason action begins in October, while minimizing long-term risks.

Though not a major surgical operation by NBA standards, any procedure involving the lower extremities—especially for a player known for his lateral movement and defensive versatility—will naturally spark discussion about durability, team depth, and long-term planning. Fortunately for the Lakers, all signs point to a positive outcome.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Finney-Smith initially aggravated the ankle in early March, during a home game against the Denver Nuggets. While he continued to play through discomfort—appearing in 17 of the Lakers’ final 21 games—his movement and defensive agility were noticeably hampered at times. The Lakers medical staff managed the injury conservatively during the playoff push, including scheduled rest games and daily maintenance.

Ultimately, however, Finney-Smith and the team opted for a surgical solution once the season ended to eliminate lingering instability and discomfort. “It’s something we monitored closely for months,” said Lakers lead trainer Maria Nguyen. “After the season, Dorian and the staff sat down, reviewed the imaging, and decided to take care of it now so he’d be 100 percent by training camp. Everything went perfectly.”

NBA insider Shams Charania added during a broadcast on The Rally, “This was a clean-up procedure. Nothing structurally major was repaired—just clearing up minor inflammation and loose cartilage that was affecting mobility.”

Acquired midseason in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, Dorian Finney-Smith quickly established himself as one of the Lakers’ most reliable two-way players. Known for his defensive toughness, three-point shooting, and ability to guard multiple positions, he averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and shot 36.1% from beyond the arc in his 31 appearances with the Lakers last season.

More importantly, Finney-Smith gave the Lakers a defensive presence they had been lacking—especially on the perimeter. Whether it was contesting wings like Jayson Tatum, frustrating ball handlers like Devin Booker, or switching onto bigs in late-game situations, his impact often went beyond the stat sheet.

“Dorian brought a level of physicality and defensive IQ that we sorely needed,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said in his season-ending press conference. “He’s the type of guy who makes winning plays. Having him fully healthy heading into next season is going to be a huge boost.”

Lakers forward Rui Hachimura agreed, telling reporters, “He’s one of the toughest defenders I’ve ever played with. Doesn’t say a lot, just locks in and goes to work. We need him out there.”

With the Lakers aggressively retooling around LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and recently acquired Luka Dončić, Finney-Smith is expected to maintain a critical role within the team’s rotation—especially on the defensive end. As a prototypical 3-and-D forward, he allows the Lakers to experiment with switching schemes, small-ball lineups, and perimeter-heavy units.

Barring any significant roster shake-ups, the Lakers’ projected wing rotation includes Finney-Smith, Austin Reaves, Bronny James, and potentially Max Christie—depending on offseason development. In that mix, Finney-Smith figures to be the most experienced and defensively trustworthy option, likely earning 24–28 minutes per game as a starting or high-leverage situational forward.

His value will be especially crucial during the early part of the season as the Lakers work through chemistry with Dončić and aim to manage LeBron’s workload.

“Finney-Smith might not be the guy putting up 20 points a night, but he’s exactly the type of player title teams need,” said ESPN’s JJ Redick. “Tough, unselfish, smart. And when the Lakers are fully healthy, he fits perfectly between the stars.”

The Lakers have dealt with their fair share of injury concerns in recent years, particularly around their frontcourt and perimeter defenders. The franchise has increasingly leaned into sports science and medical load management to extend player health, and Finney-Smith’s surgery fits within that larger philosophy.

By addressing the ankle issue months before training camp, the team believes it’s avoided a lingering problem that could have derailed early momentum or forced in-season shutdowns.

“This is what smart organizations do,” said NBA medical analyst Dr. Rajpal Brar. “Instead of letting minor issues linger into next season, they take care of them now—especially with veterans. The expectation should be that Finney-Smith is at 100% by mid-September, ahead of team practices.”

Finney-Smith himself echoed that optimism in a brief statement posted to Instagram, writing:

“Surgery went smooth. Feeling good. Appreciate all the prayers and support. See y’all in October 💪🏽💜💛”

According to the Lakers’ medical staff, Finney-Smith will spend the next four weeks in rehabilitation focused on swelling reduction, range of motion, and basic strengthening. By mid-to-late July, he is expected to begin on-court mobility drills and eventually full-speed agility work in August.

He is not expected to participate in any Summer League activity, but could travel with the team to observe practices and mentor younger players.

By September, team officials are hopeful Finney-Smith will be cleared for full basketball activities without restrictions.

“This is a very standard timeline,” said NBA performance expert Mike Guevara. “For a player in DFS’s shape, barring setbacks, he’ll be back doing wind sprints and five-on-five work well before training camp opens.”

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka addressed the news of Finney-Smith’s surgery in a brief media session following the team’s draft picks.

“Dorian is a warrior,” Pelinka said. “We’re thankful the procedure went smoothly and confident he’ll be ready to contribute again at a high level. He’s part of our core defensive identity moving forward.”

The Lakers do not anticipate needing to adjust their roster plans or rotation projections due to Finney-Smith’s recovery. However, it could influence how they approach Summer League evaluations and training camp invites, particularly with young wings competing for a backup role during Finney-Smith’s absence.

Internal competition is expected to be fierce, with second-year forward Maxwell Lewis, rookie Tyrese Hunter, and two-way standout Cole Swider all hoping to carve out minutes in Finney-Smith’s absence.

If there was one glaring deficiency in the Lakers’ 2025 playoff run, it was consistent defense—especially when LeBron sat or Davis was forced to overcompensate. The return of a healthy Dorian Finney-Smith could be a major step in solving that.

“We don’t need everyone to be a scorer,” Darvin Ham noted. “We need guys who can get stops, hit open shots, and sacrifice. Dorian embodies that.”

Statistically, the Lakers posted a 105.3 defensive rating in lineups featuring Finney-Smith, Davis, and Reaves—a mark that would rank among the top three defenses in the league over a full season.

As the team integrates Dončić and focuses on offensive chemistry, having defensive anchors like Finney-Smith to fall back on will be vital—especially against Western Conference powerhouses like Denver, Minnesota, and Phoenix.

One underrated aspect of Finney-Smith’s presence is his impact in the locker room. Known as one of the league’s quiet leaders, he has earned the respect of teammates and coaches for his work ethic, humility, and ability to mentor younger players without ego.

With Bronny James entering his rookie season, players like Finney-Smith become invaluable—not just for minutes on the court, but for moments in the film room, on the bench, and in practice.

“You win with guys like Dorian,” said Anthony Davis last season. “He don’t care about the cameras or highlights. He cares about competing, playing defense, and doing his job. We need that energy.”

Dorian Finney-Smith’s surgery marks a minor detour in what is expected to be a major year for the Los Angeles Lakers. While his ankle injury did require intervention, the timing, procedure, and prognosis all point to a full recovery well ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.

In a season where the spotlight will shine brighter than ever with the arrival of Luka Dončić and Bronny James, the Lakers will rely heavily on steady, selfless veterans like Finney-Smith to keep the ship balanced.

He may not grab headlines, but his return could quietly become one of the most important storylines of the Lakers’ championship quest. And come October, the purple and gold will be better, deeper, and more dangerous—with Dorian Finney-Smith right back in the mix.