Star-less Lakers fall to Timberwolves in third preseason game.
The Lakers were without their big three in their third game of the preseason, giving their rotation players and young prospects valuable minutes, eventually falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 114–99.
The Lakers were without their stars LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook for precautionary reasons due to the team playing their second matchup of a back-to-back in their Vegas games.
The Lakers also sat out Patrick Beverly and Kendrick Nunn due to the same measure as their big three, just as a precaution from playing back-to-back in a meaningless game. #SaveEnergyAtAllCost
The Lakers' starting lineup vs. the Timberwolves from 1 to 5 tonight consisted of:
Scotty Pippen Jr. (PG)
Austin Reaves (SG)
Max Christie (SF)
Wenyen Gabriel (PF)
Thomas Bryant (C)
Darvin Ham said he wants to explore the entire lineup, playing big and small. He doesn’t necessarily want to lock into a starting five and won’t limit himself to a 7–8 man rotation during the season.
Offseason acquisition Lonnie Walker IV made his Laker debut tonight, finishing with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench.
“I’m getting my legs back under me. It felt like I was running around with some Timbs on,” Walker IV said.
Walker has been dealing with an ankle injury since training camp, making tonight’s game a “getting his legs back” opportunity for him.
In his first action in the starting lineup, Thomas Bryant led all scorers for the purple and gold, scoring 18 points on 62% (5-for-8) shooting from the floor while adding 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 25 minutes. Bryant did a nice job battling inside tonight, drawing ten free throw attempts and making eight of them.
“We all have to lift each other up... to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Bryant said.
Rookie Max Christie got his first start for the Lakers tonight. Giving Christie as many minutes as you can only help the Lakers' 19-year-old prospect, and he showed he can be valuable to this Lakers organization with his high ceiling.
In 31 minutes, Christie finished the night with 11 points on 1-for-3 (33%) shooting from three and 5-for-13 (38%) shooting overall from the floor while adding 5 rebounds.
“Just learning as much as I can and just getting my feet wet with the system. Learn as much as I can, so when my opportunity comes, I’m ready to go,” Christie said.
The Lakers will play their fourth preseason game on the road this Sunday against the Golden State Warriors at 5:30 PM on ESPN.
