Luka Doncic wasted no time reminding everyone what he can do.
In the Lakers’ preseason opener on October 5 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, the Los Angeles star piled up 21 points in a sharp first half as coach JJ Redick’s team jumped out to a 20-point lead against Doug Christie’s Kings. Doncic mixed deep shots with easy creation for teammates, and the early burst had NBA pundit Tim McMahon questioning LA’s title hopes even as Doncic worked to answer them on the floor.
The scoring wasn’t all on Doncic, either. Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia and Cameron Carr all reached double figures by the end of the third quarter, giving the Lakers a balanced look in the northern California matchup. Through three quarters, Los Angeles was shooting better than 50 percent from the field and had limited Sacramento to 3-of-19 from three-point range.
Just as notable was how connected the Lakers looked. They had 23 assists on 33 made baskets through three quarters, with Doncic’s style clearly showing up across the roster as the ball moved and the offense flowed. Against a Kings team from the same state and conference, the Lakers looked like a group playing with a clear idea of how they want to operate.
There’s still plenty left for Redick to sort out. The roster isn’t complete yet, and Dalton Knecht remains one of the players who still needs to be folded into the mix after being the subject of blunt Draymond Green comments recently.
Even so, Doncic’s opening act suggested he’s ready to roll when the 2026-27 NBA season begins. And with the front office surrounding him with useful pieces, the Lakers have the kind of setup that could become very interesting when the games start to matter in Los Angeles.
In Other News...
Warriors Got An Early Look At A Lakers Question That Still Matters
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 🡒]
Austin Reaves Is Defining His Voice For This New-Look Lakers Team
Austin Reaves is stepping into a different kind of spotlight this fall, with the Lakers asking him to help guide a roster that now has to move forward without LeBron James. Coming off a strong season, Reaves is no longer just one of the reliable pieces around the stars, he is becoming one of the voices the team will lean on as it tries to establish a new identity.
Reaves has been clear about the kind of leadership he prefers, and it is not built around public callouts or dramatic scenes. He sees it as something more personal, rooted in one-on-one conversations and calm accountability, a style that fits his approach and the way he connects with teammates. For the Lakers, the question is not just whether he can produce, but whether that quieter voice can help set the tone for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]