LOS ANGELES — Utilizing Friday’s preseason finale as a “costume rehearsal” for subsequent week’s regular-season opener, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick put Gabe Vincent within the beginning lineup to fill in for the injured LeBron James.
Vincent capped a powerful particular person coaching camp with 14 factors on 5-for-6 capturing (4-for-5 from 3), however the Lakers misplaced 117-116 to the Sacramento Kings to complete the preseason 1-5.
The actual factor begins Tuesday when L.A. hosts the Golden State Warriors on opening night time. Whereas the Vincent choice was made, there’s lots extra for the Lakers to determine within the subsequent few days.
“We’ve two extra practices, so we have to clear up some issues,” mentioned Luka Doncic, who scored a game-high 31 factors to go together with 9 assists in 33 minutes.
Vincent mentioned the teaching workers knowledgeable him concerning the beginning nod Friday morning. If the workers was on the fence concerning the alternative, Vincent actually helped his trigger within the Lakers’ preseason sport towards the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday when he scored 18 factors within the first 4 minutes of the primary quarter, going 5-for-5 from 3.
“I feel I simply deliver what I’ve been doing since I’ve been right here,” Vincent mentioned when requested about his match with the starters. “Simply defending, attempt to defend at a excessive stage. Playmake when I’ve alternatives, house the ground whereas Luka and [Austin Reaves] are creating themselves.”
James shouldn’t be anticipated to return to the lineup and play till mid-November, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania, as he continues to get well from sciatica affecting the suitable aspect of his physique.
Whereas Vincent will be part of Doncic, Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura on the courtroom to tip off the 2025-26 season, Redick made it clear that the present starters should not everlasting.
“I don’t know something about who I’m going to be beginning the remainder of the season, as a result of, once more, there’s accidents, and there’s issues that occur all through a 12 months,” Redick mentioned. “I’ve a fairly good concept who’s going to start out Sport 1, after that, I don’t know. However I do assume in that lineup there’s lot of capturing round Luka and DA and Gabe is one other ball handler, one other robust defender.
“I feel he suits in properly, however you will have to check out each matchup we play towards and need to decide there.”
Redick has downplayed the burden of his starters choice repeatedly throughout coaching camp, stating that he used 25 totally different beginning lineups final season.
Redick and his workforce sounded much more involved about their protection after permitting 59 second-half factors to a Kings workforce that shot 54.7% general and 44.8% from 3.
“I feel in apply we have been extra bodily,” Doncic mentioned. “We have to work on our physicality.”
The Lakers have been with out one among their extra bodily defenders in heart Jaxson Hayes for the second half Friday. He left the sport with a proper wrist contusion after ending a lob dunk within the first quarter. Redick mentioned X-rays on Hayes’ wrist have been unfavorable and the workforce would have an additional replace on Hayes once they apply Sunday.
Former Defensive Participant of the Yr Marcus Good, who had 14 factors and 4 steals off the bench towards Sacramento, vowed to assist up the physicality within the meantime.
“Simply observe my lead,” Good mentioned. “That’s actually it. I’m going to attempt to set the tone every night time. And simply form of piggyback off me.”