Lakers show promise in loss to Suns.
The Lakers showed exciting promise with their high energy and improved ball movement in their second game of the preseason, leading all game up until the final minutes of the 4th quarter before falling to the Phoenix Suns 119–115.
Anthony Davis was a familiar late-game scratch due to the back tightness he’s been dealing with since the end of training camp. Head coach Darvin Ham told the media that Davis will not be playing in tomorrow’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves as a precautionary decision.
“We just got ahead of that, he had a little bit of low back tightness. We need him to be available (for the regular season). We’re just being precautionary,” Ham said.
The Lakers’ starting lineup vs. the Suns from 1 to 5 tonight consisted of:
Russell Westbrook (PG)
Patrick Beverly (SG)
Austin Reaves (SF)
LeBron James (PF)
Wenyen Gabriel (C)
The Lakers’ starters accounted for 55 points, shooting 17–for–25 (49%) total from the floor and 7-for-17 (41%) from behind the arc.
LeBron James led the way with a game-high 23 points on 3-for-6 shooting from behind the arc, and 8-for-11 total from the field, adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds in one half (17 minutes) of basketball played tonight.
“We did a good job hitting the glass and getting stops. It was a good first half. A good all-around game for us. We played the way we wanna play, both offensively and defensively,” LeBron said.
Russell Westbrook has shown that he can “buy in” into this coaching staff system, showing promise with flashes of the all-star point guard that the Lakers traded for.
In 20 minutes, Russ finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a high-energy performance. Russ finished his second straight game shooting 50% from behind the arc, knocking down 2-out-4 shots from three.
Sophomore Austin Reaves showed promise in his insertion in the lineup, giving the Lakers consistency on both ends with his high energy and incredible vision to find open players.
“It’s always good to be out on the floor with him. I love AR (Austin Reaves). all he does is chill, play ball, and golf. I’m gonna be a fan of AR for the rest of his career,” LeBron said.
Reaves finished the night with 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 6 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes of action.
After the game, Darvin Ham explained to the media what type of player Reaves is on the Lakers’ roster.
“Austin (Reaves) is like a Swiss Army Knife. He’s going to be a really, really valuable piece for us as we try to turn this thing around.”
Kendrick Nunn showed just how valuable he could be in the Lakers’ rotation, scoring 21 points (2nd team-high) off the bench on 57% (4-for-7) from three and 61% (8-for-13) shooting overall from the floor in 18 minutes played.
Darvin Ham said that Anthony Davis, LeBron, and Russell Westbrook will not play the second game of the back-to-back on Thursday, also saying Patrick Beverley will be 50–50 for tomorrow’s game.
The Lakers will play their third preseason game on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 PM.
