SAN FRANCISCO — The Lakers entered coaching camp with hopes of lastly establishing chemistry between stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. However the trio have but to see the court docket collectively. On Sunday, all of them stayed on the bench through the Lakers’ 111-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Middle.
With Doncic (relaxation) and James (glute) already out, Reaves was rested Sunday after an already full first week of coaching camp. The fifth-year guard had the best workload on the crew coming into the primary preseason recreation that occurred after three days of observe. He scored 20 factors in opposition to the Phoenix Suns as one of many few offensive brilliant spots in Friday’s blowout loss.
With out their prime offensive playmakers, the Lakers received a elevate from guard Gabe Vincent, who made his preseason debut after nursing a knee damage. He had 16 factors and 5 assists whereas heart Deandre Ayton, who scored only one level on two pictures in Friday’s preseason recreation, scored seven factors, all within the first quarter, with seven rebounds.
After their first two preseason video games, the Lakers have one week of observe till their first house preseason recreation in opposition to the Warriors on Oct. 12. Coach JJ Redick stated that though Doncic was scheduled to relaxation for the primary two preseason video games after he performed in EuroBasket along with his nationwide crew, the Slovenian celebrity continues to be anticipated to play earlier than the crew formally opens its season on Oct. 21. The Lakers have 4 preseason video games remaining.
Whether or not James, who was held out of early coaching camp practices due to nerve irritation in his glute, will play within the preseason stays to be seen. Getting into an unprecedented twenty third NBA season, James is on a slower ramp-up schedule than earlier years, Redick stated.
The Warriors took a equally cautious method with their growing older superstars as Stephen Curry, Draymond Inexperienced, Jimmy Butler III and Al Horford had been all restricted to at least one half. The 37-year-old Curry nonetheless scored 14 factors in quarter-hour, draining 5 of seven pictures from the sector and drawing loud cheers from a virtually full Chase Middle crowd when he laid up an acrobatic shot by contact and pointed two finger weapons into the ESPN baseline digital camera.
Redick referred to as it a problem to get a correct analysis of his crew in a 48-minute preseason recreation when his prime three stars are out, however after Friday’s preseason opener, he was searching for higher group on offense early within the shot clock, enjoying with tempo and extra physicality.
“We’ve received to be extra bodily getting open,” Redick stated earlier than the sport. “We’ve received to be extra bodily with our screening. That doesn’t change based mostly on who’s within the lineup, in order that behavior, we will construct that.”
“Championship habits” is considered one of three pillars Redick has preached relentlessly throughout coaching camp, together with championship communication and championship form. He stated he would choose the latter partly by whether or not gamers are sprinting again on protection.
The Lakers had been outscored 23-5 in transition Sunday and 42-11 by two preseason video games.
