Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Dončić showcased his skills in his final preseason game, scoring 31 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and recording five assists in a narrow 117-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings. This performance has left fans excited as the regular season approaches.
Dončić played alongside a starting unit that will include LeBron James, who is currently dealing with sciatica in his right side. Alongside him were Gabe Vincent, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura. Hachimura contributed significantly to the scoreboard with 18 points, while Vincent added 14 points, excelling in three-point shooting with a remarkable 4-of-5 performance.
The Kings were missing key players, including starters Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Keegan Murray. New signing Russell Westbrook did not take the floor, nor did Malik Monk, who was a finalist for the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year award. This situation may have contributed to the competitive nature of the game.
Despite the Lakers’ loss, Dončić’s performance stands out as a bright spot, suggesting he is primed to take on a leadership role as the Lakers head into the season. His strong showcase during the preseason has generated optimism among the fanbase, who are eager to see how he and the rest of the team perform when the games start to count.