After slow-playing stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rotating totally different lineups to accommodate an unreasonably busy six-game preseason schedule and giving their two-way gamers prolonged run, the Lakers buttoned up the rotation for a closing preseason sport Friday that coach JJ Redick referred to as a “costume rehearsal.”
With the curtain lastly lifting on Tuesday, the Lakers aren’t fairly prepared for showtime.
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Doncic dazzled with 31 factors, 9 assists and 5 rebounds to steer 5 double-digit Lakers scorers, however the Kings got here again for a 117-116 win at Crypto.com Area. Regardless of enjoying with out Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozen or Malik Monk, the Kings nonetheless shot 54.7% from the sector, led by 25 factors on 10-of-17 capturing from former Laker Dennis Schroder.
Lakers guard Dalton Knecht hit a game-tying three-pointer with 9.4 seconds remaining, however Kings ahead Isaac Jones made a game-winning free throw with 0.8 seconds left after he was fouled by Nick Smith Jr.
Whereas Doncic and Austin Reaves (eight factors, 4 rebounds and eight assists) performed collectively in a preseason sport for the primary time, the Lakers had been nonetheless with out famous person LeBron James, who stays sidelined due to a sciatica concern in his proper aspect. His absence, which is predicted to final at the very least till November, pressured the Lakes to re-evaluate their beginning lineup.
Redick unveiled his first option to fill the function, including guard Gabe Vincent into the beginning lineup together with Reaves, Doncic, ahead Rui Hachimura and heart Deandre Ayton. Vincent, who averaged 17 factors in his first three preseason video games whereas capturing 50% from three-point vary, continued his unimaginable preseason with 14 factors on five-of-six capturing with 4 made threes.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, driving in opposition to Kings guard Devin Carter, completed with 31 factors, 9 assists and 5 rebounds on Friday evening. (Jae C. Hong / Related Press)
The 29-year-old who has struggled with accidents the final two seasons performed the vast majority of the preseason with out Doncic or Reaves, however match into the beginning lineup seamlessly Friday as a possible resolution to James’ absence.
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“His means to shoot the ball in such tight home windows; he takes photographs that I might by no means even take into consideration taking in conditions,” Reaves mentioned earlier than the sport Friday. “… And it could’t occur to a greater man. He is one among our leaders of this crew. Lead-by-example sort of man. Exhibits up at work each single day, smile on his face.”
Marcus Sensible, whose preseason received off to a gradual begin due to Achilles tendinopathy, got here off the bench for 14 factors with three rebounds. Seen as a possible beginning possibility after signing as a free agent within the offseason, Sensible performed 20 minutes with no shot try in his preseason debut on Tuesday. Redick lamented that he wished the crew might have gotten him a shot in his first preseason motion.
On Friday, the important thing free agent addition was tentative on the offensive finish to begin. He handed up photographs to unselfishly power the ball into site visitors. When the Lakers fumbled a transition alternative, Sensible, who had an open lane to the ring however tried to go the ball again to a teammate to solely flip the ball over, tapped his chest apologetically towards the Lakers bench.
However Sensible rebounded for 11 factors within the second half. The previous NBA defensive participant of the yr continued his gritty play by diving by way of the air to intercept a go. He received happening offense, dancing on the wing, then driving to the basket for an acrobatic layup.
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James gained’t be re-evaluated till the final week of October. The crew’s preliminary timeline that he can be re-evaluated in three to 4 weeks covers the primary 9 regular-season video games. It is going to be the primary time in James’ 23-season NBA profession that he misses the season opener.
The 40-year-old famous person sat on the finish of the bench Friday on an elevated seat cushion.
The Lakers had been additionally with out Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee). Middle Jaxson Hayes, who slammed three monstrous dunks within the first half, didn’t play the second half due to a proper wrist contusion.
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.
