The Lakers are in Palm Springs to host a preseason game at the brand new Acrisure Arena against the visiting Phoenix Suns, with a 7 p.m. tip off on Spectrum SportsNet.
Below are three things to know ahead of the matchup:
TRACKING PRESEASON ACTION
Through the first five games, here’s the breakdown as to who’s played, and how much:
Five games: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Christian Wood and Maxwell Lewis
Four: Anthony Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Three: Gabe Vincent
Two: LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish
One: Jarred Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is the only Laker that’s already been ruled out of Thursday’s contest, as he continues to deal with a sore left heel. He’ll be re-evaluated on Friday, and a decision will be made over the weekend as to his availability for the season opener.
Vincent missed the last two games with lower back soreness, and has been listed as “day-to-day.” His status for Thursday has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, we also await an update on No. 17 overall pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, who missed one game due to a right knee contusion.
LeBron said from the start of camp that he’d likely play in half of the six games, and that will be the case as he’s primed to start against the Suns. Reaves – fresh off big minutes for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup – has been on a similar plan, and is ready to roll.
SIMULATING THE ROTATION
With a mix of managing minutes and building cohesion on his mind prior to the final preseason game, coach Darvin Ham has been targeting at least one legitimate run through for his players ahead of Tuesday’s regular season opener.
Of course, things will be altered slightly with Vanderbilt missing the game, and Vincent a question mark.
If neither play, we could see the same starting five that opened in Las Vegas against Brooklyn: Russell, Reaves, Prince, James and Davis. That leaves four likely rotation players to mix in: Hachimura, Christie, Hayes and Wood, and could allow for an opportunity for Cam Reddish as well.
If Vincent doesn’t play, the Lakers will certainly miss his ability to flow in between the one and the two. Christie is more of a pure wing that won’t be asked to handle the basketball at this stage of his career as much as he might in the future; Prince, though starting at the three, could play some more minutes at the two as well. And of course, Russell and Reaves can both handle more offensive responsibility, as can James and Davis.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE ATTEMPTS
Much has been made of Darvin Ham’s comments about wanting Davis to attempt six triples per game, but frankly, it’s not about the number. He just wants Davis to know he has the green light.
“I want him to be aggressive from all three levels,” he said after Tuesday’s practice. “I don’t want him to second guess a shot.”
AD, easily the best defensive player in the NBA last postseason, has excelled on offense this preseason, shooting 54.5% overall, 50% on 3’s and 88.9% from the foul line. His per 36 minutes stats: 30.2 points, 13.2 boards, 5.3 assists, 2.6 blocks and 1.6 steals, for a +13.2 plus/minus.
Davis has been one of many beneficiaries of LAL going to more 5-out sets, as opposed to the 4-out and 1-in (a big in the paint) sets that permeated much of the 2022-23 season.
“Just gives us a little more space,” said Reaves. “With AD shooting it how he’s shooting it. If he does that, he’s basically unguardable.”
The Lakers do play Phoenix in a real game in one week, the home opener at Crypto.com Arena, and former LAL head coach Frank Vogel will surely have his group ready to go. That provides a bit of an interesting background to this Thursday’s preseason game, as both teams will want to sharpen up, but perhaps leave a few cards in the deck for the game that counts.