Doncic played just 16 minutes in the preseason opener, scoring 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting with five turnovers before the reserves took over a 127-103 win at Sacramento. Golden State is next, one of two preseason meetings before the teams meet a third time in the regular-season opener on October 21.
Sixteen Minutes
Doncic opened the preseason briefly by design: 16 minutes, 21 points, five turnovers, more sprint than start. Cameron Carr matched him with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, Quentin Grimes added 16 on 5-of-7, and Jake LaRavia's plus-27 in 21 minutes kept the margin climbing long after the starters sat. Chris Manon and Jaden Hardy each reached double figures too, 12 and 8 points, while Luka logged two steals in his short stay. The reserves outscored the starters, 69-58, the clearest sign yet that Redick is still auditioning bodies before games start counting.
Three Looks at Golden State
Golden State comes to tonight's game without Jimmy Butler (knee) and Moses Moody (knee), the two injuries already shadowing Steve Kerr's roster. The Warriors finished 37-45 last season behind Stephen Curry's 26.6 points a game, Brandin Podziemski's full 82 games, and Draymond Green anchoring the defense; this is the same team the Lakers host again on October 13, then face a third time at home when the regular season opens October 21. Thursday breaks up the stretch with a rematch at home against Sacramento, the team the Lakers just beat by 24.
The Return List
Four Lakers are tabbed day-to-day with the same estimated return date, today: Austin Reaves (ankle), Walker Kessler (finger), Arthur Kaluma (lower body) and Collin Sexton (lower body). Kessler is the name to watch — he played only five games last season, and his frontcourt minutes over a full season remain unproven. Whether any of the four actually play tonight against Golden State will be the first real test of how camp intends to use them.
Is Austin Reaves playing against the Warriors tonight?
Reaves is day-to-day with an ankle injury and is tabbed to return October 6, the date of tonight's game against the Warriors.
How many times do the Lakers play the Warriors before the regular season?
Twice in preseason, October 6 and October 13, then a third time when the regular season opens October 21.
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Postgame · Mon, Oct 5The Bench Answers First While Kessler and Reaves Wait
Morning · Tue, Oct 6A Bench Eruption Covers for Doncic's Short, Shaky Night
Week ahead · Sat, Oct 3Two Trips West Preview the Doncic-Warriors Opener
Week ahead · Mon, Sep 28Four Preseason Games, One Long Runway to October 21