Lakers lose big in final game of preseason.
The Lakers fell big in their final game of the preseason to the Sacramento Kings, losing 133–86 and finishing the 2022 preseason with a 1–5 record.
“I like the way our team is constructed, but we have to continue to work,” LeBron said.
In tonight's final preseason game, Russell Westbrook was not in the starting lineup but instead came off the bench with the second unit. Ham's decision to bring Russ off the bench was rumored to be a possible outcome in their future lineups during the offseason.
"It's not a demotion; it's a realignment." Head coach Darvin Ham said, clarifying it for the media after the game.
Toward the end of the first quarter, Russ left for the locker room and didn't return to the game due to a left hamstring injury.
With the recent news of Dennis Schröder’s finger possibly sidelining him for some time, both Schröder and Russ will need to be evaluated to see what their timetable will look like with the regular season starting on Tuesday.
After the game, Coach Ham said that Russ told him he thought he’d be OK, but re-evaluating him tomorrow will determine it.
The Lakers will start the first game of the regular season on Tuesday against the defending champion Golden State Warriors at 7 PM on ESPN and TNT.
