The Lakers’ second preseason outing came with a heavily thinned-out lineup, and that turned Tuesday night at Chase Center into a useful look at the players fighting for real roles. With Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves (ankle), Walker Kessler (finger), Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Arthur Kaluma all ruled out, Los Angeles took a 124-98 loss to the Warriors - but there was still plenty to sort through.
Jarred Vanderbilt was one of the clearer bright spots on the defensive end. He logged three steals in 16 minutes, a reminder of the disruptive edge that once made him such an important piece for the Lakers.
That kind of activity matters for JJ Redick, who wants this group to be much better defensively. The issue, as it has been before, is what Vanderbilt gives back on offense.
He finished with two points, five rebounds, four assists and a block, shooting 1-for-2 from the floor. With Thybulle and Williams both bringing defense and a better perimeter threat, Vanderbilt’s path to minutes looks shaky.
Jake LaRavia has also made a strong early case. He followed up a solid preseason opener by continuing to fill the box score against Sacramento and again showing he can impact the game in multiple ways. That matters in a roster battle where versatility is at a premium.
Jaden Hardy is another name worth watching. He came to the Lakers in the Deandre Ayton trade with the Washington Wizards and already has history with Doncic from their time together on the Dallas Mavericks.
Even so, Hardy is very much on the roster bubble. He could be waived to get the team down to 15 players, or he could be part of a two-for-one trade that general manager Rob Pelinka has hinted at before the season opener against the Warriors on Oct.
- Still, there’s no denying the offensive punch.
Hardy put up shots against Golden State, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 19 minutes. The downside was the turnover count: five in all, a rough number for any coach to swallow.
He shot 4-for-12 and 1-for-6 from deep, but his confidence and shot-making give him a chance to matter if he sticks around. The article also noted that he might be a bit more dependable than Dalton Knecht and possibly even Bronny James.
The most complete performance belonged to Sandro Mamukelashvili. The 27-year-old big man was the Lakers’ leading scorer with 15 points in 18 minutes, hitting 6-of-10 from the field and 3-for-4 from three.
He added two rebounds, two assists and a block, and his blend of size, shooting and passing stood out in a game where the Lakers were missing so many regulars. Redick’s team has been looking for players who can stretch the floor and still hold their own defensively, and Mamukelashvili keeps showing he belongs in that conversation.
Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are expected to be starters for Redick heading into the 2026-27 campaign, while the other two spots remain open. Thybulle and Williams helped themselves in the preseason opener, and Redick along with Doncic praised both after the win over the Kings. With three preseason games still left, the fight for those jobs is far from settled.
The Lakers are back against the Kings on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. PST.
In Other News...
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 🡒]
Bronny James Just Gave Lakers Fans A Taste Of A New Problem
Bronny James got a quick lesson in the NBAs latest whistle trend during the Lakers preseason meeting with the Warriors, and it came in a moment that looked familiar to anyone who has watched the league tighten up on offensive contact. On one possession, James was called for an offensive foul after using his off arm to create separation against Stephen Curry, a call that fit squarely with the leagues new emphasis on limiting offensive players from fully extending or forcefully pushing defenders away.
For Lakers fans, it was the kind of preseason sequence that can say more than the box score. James and Curry both appeared amused by the whistle, but the bigger takeaway is that the NBA is making clear what it wants from ballhandlers and creators this season. For a young player trying to find his footing, and for a team that will need clean, disciplined offense around its stars, even a routine drive can turn into a teaching moment fast. [Read more 🡒]