Lakers Fall to Kings 117-116 in Preseason Finale Amidst LeBron James’ Absence
The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their final preseason game 117-116 to the Sacramento Kings yesterday at Crypto.com Arena, despite a strong performance from Luka Doncic and the first full game alongside Austin Reaves, as they continue to navigate a roster without LeBron James.
Doncic led all scorers with 31 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Reaves contributed eight points, four rebounds, and eight assists in their first preseason action together. However, the Kings, playing without key players like Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk, shot 54.7% from the field, led by Dennis Schroder’s 25 points. A late three-pointer by Lakers guard Dalton Knecht tied the game, but a game-winning free throw by Isaac Jones with 0.8 seconds remaining sealed the victory for Sacramento.
Lakers coach JJ Redick used the game as a “dress rehearsal,” unveiling his anticipated starting lineup of Reaves, Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. Vincent, who has impressed throughout the preseason, added 14 points on efficient shooting, and Redick praised his ability to create opportunities, stating before the game that Vincent takes “shots that I would never even think about taking in situations.” The Lakers are hoping Vincent can fill a crucial scoring role while James is sidelined. Veteran guard Marcus Smart, recovering from Achilles tendinopathy, also contributed 14 points off the bench, showing improvement after a quiet preseason debut; you can find more information about Achilles tendinopathy here.
LeBron James remains out due to a sciatica issue and will not be re-evaluated until late October, meaning he will miss the season opener for the first time in his 23-year career. The Lakers are adjusting to playing without their superstar, a situation that could significantly impact their early-season performance. Further updates on James’ condition and the Lakers’ roster can be found on the official Lakers website.
The team indicated James’ condition will be reassessed in the last week of October, covering the first nine regular-season games.
