The Los Angeles Lakers are set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Wednesday, but they will be without several key players, continuing a trend from this preseason. Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart will all sit out as they recover from back-to-back games. Additionally, Bronny James is ruled out due to a minor ankle sprain.
On the brighter side, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who missed Tuesday’s encounter against the Phoenix Suns, are expected to return for the game against the Mavericks. Nevertheless, head coach JJ Redick has yet to field a complete lineup throughout the preseason, limiting his ability to establish game-ready strategies leading into the October 21 opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Redick had anticipated using two games as a dress rehearsal during training camp, but without the opportunity to see all his preferred rotations play together, the Lakers may face challenges in establishing team chemistry and cohesion as the regular season approaches.
During their last matchup against the Suns, Reaves and Dončić showed promising synergy, combining for 50 points, giving fans hope despite the loss. The Lakers dominated in the first half but struggled as their deep bench took the floor, indicating the need for consistent performances across the lineup.
This Friday, the Lakers will have their final chance to shake off the cobwebs before the opener as they face the Kings in Los Angeles. With a focus on maintaining health and leveraging a rigorous training camp, there is optimism that the team can find their stride quickly despite the hurdles faced in the preseason. The hope is that Friday’s game serves as a necessary simulation for the team to gel before the games that truly matter begin next week.