EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — When the Los Angeles Lakers reviewed the tape of their disappointing 119-109 opening-night loss to the Golden State Warriors, coach JJ Redick mentioned there was an necessary voice within the room as they sifted by means of the wreckage: LeBron James.

“LeBron was actually useful,” Redick mentioned after observe Wednesday.

James, wearing a go well with and glasses, appeared stoic in his padded seat on the finish of the bench Tuesday as he missed his first regular-season opener of his 23-year profession due to sciatica affecting his decrease again and proper leg.

Though James gained’t be reevaluated for one more one to 2 weeks and sources advised ESPN’s Shams Charania he isn’t anticipated to make his season debut till mid-November, he was energetic within the movie session when the teaching employees identified how L.A. allowed Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield to shoot too many open 3s.

“We did a poor job of finding the lasers in transition, which was a degree of emphasis of our protection,” Redick mentioned. “Buddy Hield obtained two [3-pointers] off within the second half. Steph obtained one proper in entrance of our bench within the first half. That was actually the second precedence of the sport, was finding these guys in transition. So, clear that up and once more speak by means of that. … All of us sort of talked about that in movie.”

Redick mentioned he encourages the discourse that the 40-year-old James can stir for the crew.

“I advised them him asking questions, him giving his enter, us having a back-and-forth is so wholesome,” Redick mentioned. “I want to have dialogue and back-and-forth and questions each single time we do movie and train. You bought a query, converse up. If you wish to make a degree, converse up. It was good.”

Hield and Curry combining to shoot 8-for-19 from 3, whereas the Lakers shot 8-for-32 as a crew, was simply certainly one of a number of issues for L.A. within the opener.

The Lakers additionally have been outscored 33-18 in bench factors and 35-25 within the third quarter, missed 11 free throws, and dedicated 20 turnovers, resulting in 22 factors for the Warriors.

Nevertheless, members of the crew mentioned the movie assessment allowed for clear-eyed perspective because the Lakers look to enhance on that preliminary displaying after they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

“I feel there have been some obtrusive issues that we are able to work on, which in some methods is encouraging,” Lakers guard Gabe Vincent mentioned. “You discover issues that find yourself being 12, 14 factors, and it’s like, ‘Oh, if we are able to clear that up, it’s a unique dialog. That sport seems to be loads completely different.'”

Added Lakers ahead Jarred Vanderbilt: “It wasn’t as unhealthy as we thought it was. It’s a pair issues that we are able to clear up on that would simply change the way in which the sport went. And it’s issues which are controllable. … So simply locking in, specializing in these.”

One other factor that doesn’t seem like as unhealthy because it appeared is Luka Doncic’s well being.

The Lakers star required greater than an hour of remedy on the within of his proper leg after showing to tug his groin late within the fourth quarter on the way in which to scoring 43 factors in 41 minutes towards Golden State. However Redick didn’t sound too involved Wednesday.

“He appears to be fantastic,” Redick mentioned. “I don’t assume it’s something main. He obtained some remedy this morning, and we didn’t observe lengthy, however he was a participant in observe.”

Doncic’s availability will likely be paramount, particularly with James out, as L.A. tries to construct some continuity to begin the season.

“Our crew, by the tip of final season, had a connective mind tissue,” Redick mentioned. “We functioned very well as a unit no matter group was on the market. We simply don’t have that but. We don’t have that connectivity the place all of us sort of belief and know one another on each ends of the ground and we all know precisely what we’re doing.

“We’re going to get there. I’m very assured we’re going to get there.”