Luka Doncic showed he is still a force of nature in the Lakers’ opening preseason tilt against the Sacramento Kings.
Coach JJ Redick’s Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic-led Los Angeles Lakers celebrated the team’s preseason opener in style on October 5, jumping out to a 20-point lead at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento against coach Doug Christie’s Kings. NBA pundit Tim McMahon questioned LA’s title hopes as Doncic did his best to prove him wrong.
Doncic racked up 21 points in an efficient first half that saw him dial up a dazzling array of long distance shots while also setting up his teammates for easy looks.
The Lake Show also got double-digit scoring efforts from Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia and Cameron Carr as the third quarter came to a close in northern California. They shot over 50 percent from the field through three quarters and held the Kings to 3-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc.
Coach Redick’s team impressed with its passing as Doncic’s playing style began to permeate throughout the lineup. The Lakers assisted on 23 of 33 made buckets through three quarters, looking like a true team in every sense of the word against their Western Conference and in-state rivals.
The Lakers are far from a finished product and still need to work different players into the lineup, including former first round pick Dalton Knecht, who was hit with blunt Draymond Green comments recently.
Doncic looks like he is ready to come out firing on day one of the 2026-27 NBA season, and Redick’s team’s front office has put some good pieces around him that could make things interesting come playoff time in Los Angeles.
Coach JJ Redick’s Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic-led Los Angeles Lakers celebrated the team’s preseason opener in style on October 5, jumping out to a 20-point lead at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento against coach Doug Christie’s Kings. NBA pundit Tim McMahon questioned LA’s title hopes as Doncic did his best to prove him wrong.