The Lakers’ preseason hit a rough patch Tuesday night in San Francisco, where Golden State buried them 124-98 and handed Los Angeles its first ugly lesson of October.
Los Angeles never found its footing at Chase Center. The Warriors shot 51% from the field, the Lakers dug themselves into a massive early hole, and the margin ballooned to as many as 38 points. By the time the first quarter ended, the Lakers were already chasing after getting outscored 45-31.
JJ Redick didn’t hide from the mess afterward.
“The way we started that game was insane. I don't know the reasons why, because this group has been awesome for the two months I've been around them. It's unacceptable,” said Redick in the postgame conference.
He was just as blunt about the first half overall, then pointed to a brighter stretch after halftime.
“The first half was unacceptable. I thought (with) the group that started the second half, we got back to our physicality defensively, and Adou (Thiero) and Jake (LaRavia) particularly were really good in that stretch.”
That second-half group included Thiero, LaRavia, Bronny James, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
JJ Redick:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 7, 2026
"The way we started that game was insane...the first half was unacceptable. I thought that group that started the second half, we got back to our physicality defensively, and Adou and Jake particularly were really good in that stretch" https://t.co/eXW4cnkzwO pic.twitter.com/pDJfNhQ8U9
The Lakers also made life harder on themselves with a sloppy performance that included 25 turnovers, only one more than Golden State. Mamukelashvili led that unit with 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
LaRavia finished with nine points, three rebounds, and three steals, while Thiero added seven points and four rebounds. Grimes chipped in 12 points and three assists.
Los Angeles was missing Luka Doncic, who played in Monday’s 127-103 win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton have not yet appeared in preseason action.
Redick had already emphasized in camp that the team needed to build an identity on both ends of the floor and stay in shape. The Lakers will get another crack at Sacramento on Thursday.
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Ahead of the Lakers second preseason game against the Warriors, JJ Redick made it clear this was going to be more of a look-and-learn night than a full dress rehearsal. Nearly half the roster sat, including several key names, and the result was a one-sided loss that mattered less on the scoreboard than in the small roster battles still unfolding beneath it.
Jarred Vanderbilt once again flashed the defensive value that has long made him an interesting piece in Los Angeles, even as his offense stayed limited. On the other end, Jaden Hardy showed some scoring ability but also gave the ball away too often, which is the kind of preseason tradeoff that can linger into the regular season. With roster spots still unsettled, these kinds of performances are part of the evaluation the Lakers will keep weighing as they move closer to opening night. [Read more 🡒]
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Stephen Curry Kept This Lakers Loss From Feeling Like Just Preseason
The preseason opener in San Francisco carried more than the usual September exhibition feel, with the Warriors turning it into Nellie Night in honor of the late Don Nelson. Golden State wore yellow Nellie patches on its jerseys, a nod to the coach who helped shape the franchise and, for Stephen Curry, the rookie-season veteran whose influence still lingers as one of the defining figures in his early NBA path.
Curry helped make sure the night had some edge for the Lakers, too. He played 14 minutes and scored 16 points as Golden State rolled to a 124-98 win, giving the game a little more weight than a typical tune-up. The teams will meet again in the regular season on October 21, when the stakes will be real and the Lakers will get their first chance to respond. [Read more 🡒]