The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their second preseason game, falling 89-101 to the Golden State Warriors on October 13. This result follows a preseason win over the Sacramento Kings on October 8 and a loss to the Warriors on October 6. The team now prepares for its next exhibition against the Denver Nuggets at home on October 16.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick indicated before the game that players like Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton could see action after sitting out the previous contest. The exact rotation and minutes for stars like Luka Dončić were a primary focus. For Golden State, the plan was to feature veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in this matchup as part of a busy preseason schedule, resting them for a subsequent game in Portland.
Los Angeles opened its preseason emphasizing aggressive perimeter defense and a high volume of three-point attempts. In their October 8 win over Sacramento, they forced 26 turnovers, with 14 coming in the first half alone. Nearly 54 percent of their shot attempts came from beyond the arc. The question was whether this aggressive, perimeter-oriented approach would hold up against the Warriors' dynamic offense. The 101 points allowed suggest the defense faced a tough challenge.
With key offseason additions not yet integrated, the Warriors relied heavily on players like Brandin Podziemski, Brandon Williams, and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg in their prior game. While this provided valuable experience, the team needed more consistent scoring support for Curry. The 101-point output against the Lakers shows the offense found a better rhythm compared to earlier preseason performances where shooting was a concern.
The immediate focus shifts to the final preseason tune-up. The Lakers host the Denver Nuggets on October 16, their last chance to refine schemes before the regular season begins. Preseason results like the 114-110 win over Sacramento on October 8 and the 124-98 loss to Golden State on October 6 provide data points, but the real evaluation starts soon. Coach Redick will use the Nuggets game to finalize rotations and solidify the defensive identity tested in these exhibitions.
