The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first preseason win of the season, and the first victory for head coach JJ Redick, with a 107-102 comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night. The Lakers executed a remarkable 31-4 run in the final quarter.
With Austin Reaves out due to ankle soreness, Redick adjusted the starting lineup, featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Max Christie, who contributed eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. Hachimura led the way with 14 points and five rebounds, while the bench made a significant impact. Dalton Knecht, a first-round pick, scored 13 points, and Quincy Olivari added 11 points and five rebounds.
Despite trailing by as many as 15 points with just under ten minutes left, the Lakers managed to rally back, scoring 20 consecutive points to take a 94-89 lead in the final minutes of the game. Olivari was instrumental during this stretch, hitting three 3-pointers.
Redick praised Olivari’s performance, stating, “Quincy just completely changed the game,” emphasizing that his aggressive defense and ability to disrupt the opposing team was a model for what the coaching staff wanted from other players.
LeBron James played only the first half, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 16 minutes. Anthony Davis added 11 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots in 25 minutes before sitting out the remainder of the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Bobby Portis contributed 23 points off the bench. The Bucks, who held a 58-52 lead at halftime, opted not to play their starters in the second half.
Redick addressed the decision to rest Reaves, noting it was a good opportunity for him to take a night off after a busy September of workouts. The game also featured a reunion between Redick and Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who was previously Redick’s coach with the Clippers. Both expressed no lingering tension despite past criticisms.
This matchup marked the first time former Lakers coach Darvin Ham faced off against his former team since joining Rivers’ coaching staff.