The Los Angeles Lakers tip off the preseason Friday night against the Phoenix Suns to kickstart the long-awaited new season at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert and their “obsession,” the team's one-word motto seen throughout training camp, for banner 18 officially begins.
Entering his second year as head coach, JJ Redick didn’t give away much of what their game plan would be but plans to play his roster in small bursts with a focus on pace and plugging in new players on the roster.
“I don’t think guys are going to play for eight to ten minutes at a time. Whatever the rotation ends up being for those first three and a half quarters,” Redick said after Thursday’s practice.
Redick noted the team is being sensitive to players who have had a high workload during training camp as they build toward “championship shape,” one of their three priorities going into the season, along with championship habits and communication.
Austin Reaves was mentioned by the second-year head coach of players who have had, from their measurements, the highest workload for all three training camp days.
Luka Dončić was the other mentioned on workload management after coming off a summer representing his Slovenian national team at EuroBasket. In seven games at the tournament, he played 233 minutes, which put him at an average of 33 minutes per game. He was arguably the best player in his slimmer frame with 34.7 points—which ranked first—8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
Dončić said he'd take the preseason slow with the offseason he had, describing it as being a lot different from the regular season, something he can't wait to come.
"Excitement" was the word Dončić used for his approach to preseason, with building chemistry as a unit being the biggest goal.
Availability Report: who’s out?
Redick confirmed after Thursday’s practice that four players would be out of L.A.’s first preseason matchup due to return-to-play protocols.
LeBron James, who is entering an unprecedented 23rd season, will be out with a glute injury. Marcus Smart (Achilles), Maxi Kleber (quad) and Adou Thiero (knee swelling) will also be out against the Suns as they rehab and make their way to 100% before the season starts.
New Additions: who to look out for
The Lakers will tread lightly on their starters and returners in terms of minutes, but the excitement of new players rocking the purple and gold is always so fun to first see.
Starting center Deandre Ayton, who has embraced the pressure since his first step in L.A. in a new opportunity, is one of those guys, along with Jake LaRavia, who Austin Reaves on media day said would have a really (really, really) good season.
However, with it being the first game of the preseason and workload sensitivity being a factor with a long season ahead, that leads to the bench and two-way players getting some heavy minutes, more so in the second half.
Nick Smith Jr., Christian Koloko and Chris Mañon, who are all on two-way contracts, should get a chunk of the second-half minutes. Undrafted rookie R.J. Davis, who had a solid summer league for the Lakers, will get some hefty minutes, along with Augustas Marciulionis, Nate Williams and Anton Watson.
The Opponent: Phoenix Suns
The Suns' roster got a near-complete overhaul from trading away Kevin Durant in a historic seven-team deal this offseason to the Rockets, which brought Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and multiple draft picks to Phoenix.
Green will be held out against the Lakers with a hamstring injury, along with former Laker (for a second) Mark Williams.
Phoenix still has all-star Devin Booker, who has been a scoring machine for the franchise since coming out of Kentucky, will be available against the Lakers in Palm Desert.
Lakers vs. Suns Preseason Opener
📅 Date: Friday, Oct. 3
⏰ Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. PT
📍 Location: Acrisure Arena, Palm Springs
📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710/1330 KWKW