With Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook sitting out at least two games apiece so far this preseason, the Lakers have yet to get an extended look at their three stars together. The trio was available in the first preseason contest last Monday, but Davis missed the next two before returning on Sunday, while James and Westbrook have rested for the last two games.
Injuries often prevented Davis, James, and Westbrook from sharing the court last season, but head coach Darvin Ham isn’t worried about his stars not getting enough time together before opening night. As Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times writes, Ham said that the team is sticking to its plan and that the rotations in the final two games of the preseason will look more like what we should expect in the regular season.
Davis, who was dealing with some lower back tightness last week, looked good in his return on Sunday vs. Golden State, pouring in 28 points in 21 minutes en route to a 124-121 win. As Woike observes, it was the Lakers’ first preseason victory since 2020.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Within the same story, Woike notes that Troy Brown, signed as a free agent in July, is unlikely to be available for the start of the regular season due to a back injury. “He’s right on schedule with what he’s supposed to be doing,” Ham said. “When we do get him back…we’re excited about him. He was having a great summer before he hurt his back.”
- Camp invitee Matt Ryan had a big game for the Lakers on Sunday, knocking down six three-pointers and scoring 20 points. “He may have gotten himself a job today,” Ham said after the game (Twitter link via Woike).
- As Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report tweets, the Lakers have 12 players on standard guaranteed contracts, and Austin Reaves and Wenyen Gabriel look like safe bets to make the team on non-guaranteed deals. That would leave the 15th regular season roster spot available for Ryan, assuming L.A. is willing to increase its projected tax bill by carrying a 15th man to start the regular season.
Lakers need to get rid of russ… even without lebron last night they looked more comfortable moving the ball and allowing others to take the dribble down court. Russ is only effective if he has the ball 95% of the time. Too many talented players on the roster for that.
Lots of 3 pt shooing for the Lakers last night (17-39). Big difference from last season.
Does the Lakers really expect all of these older players to have injury free seasons? Sounds like a pipe dream to me.
With such a heavy push by the league to end racism over the past few years, I want to know how in the world Reaves nickname is still listed as “hillbilly kobe”
If a player sanctions the nickname then it isn’t an affront. If he does not, he can ask to have it removed. Why is there this overwhelming need today to ‘protect’ people from harm that may not even exist?
I grew up with many people in Chicago who proudly called themselves hillbillies, it’s was not considered negative.
According to google, it is a derogatory term
Yeah who ya gonna trust on this, the people who call themselves this or your corporate overlords?
alot of proud hillbillies out here.
His nickname is AR-15 and it’s not up for debate
First 16 games are super super super tough for LAL, opposite of last years schedule that was lite in the beginning tough at end
If they can go 8-8 by Thanksgiving that would be great ( Less than 50% chance tho Imo) – If its 4-12 well that kinda sets the stage for anarchy here ROS….not what ya want with a new coach
First 16 IN ORDER –
GSW
CLips
Blazers
Nugs
Twolves
Nuggs
Pelicans
Jazz
Cle
Jazz
Clips
Kings
Nets
Pistons
Spurs
Suns
Going to be difficult finding 8 wins there
That’s a brutal schedule that also highlights how deep the West is this year. First 8 games all in conference and 7/8 of them are against stacked rosters