PALM DESERT, Calif. – The ball spun off Luka Dončić’s fingers as he easily dribbled it on the courtroom, the sort of mastery and management that indicators good offense was about to happen — nicely, more often than not.
The in-and-out dribbles within the second half of the Lakers’ preseason opener got here throughout a timeout. Dončić was in black sweats, not in uniform. And the Lakers, largely due to his and LeBron James’ absences, couldn’t create a lot of something in any respect.
Earlier than they misplaced 103-81 to the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers mentioned Dončić wasn’t going to play Friday evening in Palm Desert or Sunday in San Francisco towards the Warriors. The staff can be being very deliberate in ramping James up for the beginning of the common season later this month.
Austin Reaves, the final main choice left in uniform, led the Lakers with 20 factors in 21 minutes. Rui Hachimura additionally scored 11. Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 factors.
Pregame, Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned the plan with Dončić wasn’t associated to something aside from the staff exercising warning.
“As a coach, you need all these guys out on the courtroom,” Redick mentioned. “That’s simply the truth. We wish to be sensible with each of them. Two totally different conditions, however we’re gonna deal with them form of the identical method. Our expectation, Luka will play within the preseason. We’re gonna use subsequent week to proceed to simply get him in a great spot, along with his physique and his vitality and all that stuff.
“He was nice the primary two days at camp, (however) it was lots. I feel it made sense, given his workload this summer season, to simply sort of pull again. And he’s in an important place bodily and mentally.”
Along with James and Davis, Marcus Good, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber additionally didn’t play.
The Lakers, who’ve dedicated to conditioning throughout their first three practices of the season, may’ve paid the value with some useless legs Friday evening. Bronny James was simply 1 for 12 from the sector. Dalton Knecht made solely 2 of 10. And Hachimura made simply 3 of 12.
Make or miss, the three key issues Redick mentioned he wished to see in the course of the Lakers’ time with out James and Dončić have been for them to run, speak and compete. The outcomes, predictably, have been blended.
“These habits of communication and form, notably for a brand new group, these issues take time,” he mentioned after. “It’s not going to be 10 video games. It’s not going to be 20 video games. It’s the course of an 82-game season. The hope is that after 195 days from the beginning of coaching camp to the tip of the common season that we’ve stacked sufficient good days for all of these issues. There will likely be accountability to all of these issues. However we’re not anticipating it in a single day.”
For Reaves, it was one other alternative to indicate what he was able to as the first offensive choice, drawing protection from Phoenix’s high perimeter defenders — Ryan Dunn and Dillon Brooks — and nonetheless shaking free to make 6 of 11 from the sector.
Deandre Ayton, enjoying towards the staff that chosen him No. 1 within the 2018 NBA Draft, blocked two pictures and grabbed eight rebounds. However offensively, he struggled badly. He missed his solely two shot makes an attempt — each layups. He turned the ball over 4 instances, bobbling away a number of possibilities for straightforward baskets.
Possibly prior to now, the 2 shot makes an attempt or the lone level he scored would’ve led to postgame frustrations. Friday after his Lakers debut — regardless of teammates like Reaves saying they wanted to do a greater job of getting him the ball — Ayton was pleased with the impression he was capable of make on protection.
“I wished to indicate the staff I’m extra dedicated on the defensive finish greater than the offense in a method,” Ayton mentioned. “Like I say from the get go, I’m not likely right here for numbers. I’m simply right here for regardless of the Lakers actually need me to do. And the principle goal is admittedly defending that rim and shutting out our possessions. And I had enjoyable, man.”
(Picture of Luka Dončić and LeBron James: Katharine Lotze / Getty Pictures)
