The Lakers’ 111-97 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in Las Vegas offered the closest look at what their rotation could look like when the games begin to count in the standings.
Austin Reaves was back in the lineup after missing last Thursday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks because of right ankle soreness, starting alongside what Coach JJ Redick has said will be the first unit (D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis) when the regular season begins next week.
But even with the starters playing more compared to previous exhibitions as they ramp up to what’s expected to be their normal load of minutes, the Lakers couldn’t keep up with the Warriors’ firepower – especially off the bench.
Golden State, which outscored the Lakers in each quarter, got 61 points from its reserves while the Lakers’ backups scored 33 – including 19 points from rookie Dalton Knecht on 6-of-15 shooting (5 for 13 from 3-point range).
Davis led the Lakers with 24 points (10-for-14 shooting) and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes, playing in the third quarter for the second consecutive game.
Hachimura (15 points, nine rebounds) started strong, scoring seven first-quarter points, but struggled with his shot, shooting 5 for 14 from the field.
Russell (six points on 2-of-10 shooting to go with seven rebounds) and James (six points on 3-of-9 shooting with four assists) also struggled with their shooting. James also played in the second half for the first time in the preseason, playing the opening stint of the third quarter before subbing out as part of the normal substitution pattern, finishing at 23 minutes.
Reaves, who was on a minutes restriction, scored 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 17 first-half minutes.
“Just a precaution,” Redick said before the game. “No issue from practice [on Monday].”
The Warriors were led by Moses Moody’s 21 points off the bench, which included a 5-of-7 effort from 3-point range. Four Golden State reserves scored in double figures.
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Warriors star Steph Curry finished with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds in 28 minutes.
The Lakers have two preseason games left – Thursday night at the Phoenix Suns and a Friday night rematch with the Warriors in San Francisco – but if Tuesday was any indication, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes and Knecht will be part of the rotation when they open the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 22 at Crypto.com Arena.
Redick has said he envisions using a nine-man rotation, but seemed flexible when asked before Tuesday’s game.
“I’m not settling on that,” the first-time head coach said. “Yeah, I’ve envisioned it. Philosophically, I think you have to look at your team and figure out what works best. You also have to be cognizant, as we are, about the best player development and getting guys in games.
“So I’m not tied to a nine-man rotation. I don’t know what a rotation number looks like on Tuesday of next week. But generally, I think that a nine-man rotation works. But I don’t know if it works for our team.”