The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors, 111-103, on Sunday, marking their second consecutive defeat to open the preseason.
Head coach JJ Redick guided the team without superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who were held out for the second straight game, while Austin Reaves also remained sidelined. Despite the depleted lineup, Los Angeles stayed close for most of the first half at Chase Center and limited Golden State to nine points in the fourth quarter.
“We played about 38 minutes of good basketball,” Redick told Spectrum SportsNet. “Outside of the last stretch before halftime and the start of the third quarter, we were much better.”
The turning point came on a 27-6 Warriors surge that spanned the final minutes of the second period and the early stages of the third. Golden State extended its advantage even after coach Steve Kerr sat Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green for the entire second half.
Redick said the preseason remains focused on building “consistent competitiveness” and noted that several Lakers are playing roles they will not occupy once the full roster is available. “Playing hard for 48 minutes is expected regardless of who’s on the court,” he added.
LeBron James, who has identified a championship as the season’s ultimate goal, recently emphasized that mastering small details will be essential for team success.
The Lakers continue preseason play later this week as they work toward full-health lineups and tighter execution.
Source: Lakers Nation
