Make California Post a Preferred Source SAN FRANCISCO — The Lakers’ trip to Northern California displayed the duality of preseason basketball.
Because for as good as Monday night felt, Tuesday night was equally as dreadful.
Within 24 hours, the Lakers went from looking like world-beaters against a Kings team that’s expected to finish the 2026-27 season toward the bottom of the NBA standings to getting run out of the gym by a Warriors team that’s fighting to stay relevant behind aging four-time NBA champions Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
The up-and-down nature of the last few days epitomized why making grand conclusions from preseason exhibitions about a team’s full-season outlook is a foolish exercise.
Player availability changes nightly, which was the case for the Lakers when Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton sat out against the Warriors.
Both teams only have a handful of training camp practices before having to play against another opponent and are lucky if they’re able to crack a double-digit number of practices before the regular season starts.
In order words, no team is — or at least should be — at its best during preseason.
But what preseason exhibitions should provide is an insight into what a team has been focusing on since putting together its roster over the summer and honing in on since practices officially began as summer turned to fall.
And for the Lakers, proof of concept was provided when they played the Kings. On Monday, LA at least had a reasonable number of players available who’ll play meaningful minutes when the games count.
Yes, Kessler not playing either game meant the Lakers lacked the rim protection they coveted when they acquired the 7-foot-2 big man from the Jazz. And it showed.
Reaves and Sexton being sidelined removed the team’s main ball handlers behind Doncic.
But for at least one game against the Kings — and really just the first half when Doncic played — the Lakers showcased a glimpse of the team’s vision.
Ninety-four feet of full-court defensive pressure, with Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero all taking turns.
Increased defensive physicality and aggression, leading to more deflections, steals and forced turnovers.
“Especially with Matisse and Ziaire, [the defense at the beginning] of the game [against the Kings], that’s contagious for everybody,” Doncic said. “It was inspirational.”
The offense will continue to revolve around Doncic — and Reaves once he’s in the lineup.
But the how will look different, with Doncic operating off the ball more to start possessions before using his teammates’ screening to come to the ball, which weaponizes his offensive gravity.
“You can look at any game, or any practice, and find good stuff to build on,” coach JJ Redick said. “So, yes, it’s encouraging.”
An encouraging start to the preseason isn’t the be-all, end-all, but the foundation and expectations are set.
And once they’re able to get more of their main players on the court, those expectations will only rise.
