After an extended offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers lastly discovered themselves again on the hardcourt as they kicked off their six-game preseason slate in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Palm Desert.
Not solely was it their first have a look at preseason motion, however it additionally marked head coach JJ Redick’s debut on the sideline. Redick did not have all of his gamers obtainable as LeBron James and Anthony Davis sat out, however the crew despatched the remainder of its starters with Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes.
Though the Lakers confirmed actual battle and competed on each ends of the court docket, they ended up shedding to the Timberwolves 124-107.
Redick beforehand stated he needed the Lakers to shoot extra from 3-point vary, and the crew agreed as 4 of their first 5 pictures had been from distance, with Christie hitting the crew’s first. Because it was Recreation 1, Los Angeles, as anticipated, struggled to attain, permitting the Timberwolves to take an early 13-5 lead.
Christie was the very best participant on the court docket for the Lakers as he scored some sturdy pictures to the rim and performed wonderful protection on the opposite finish. Though Los Angeles’ small-ball lineup was lively defensively, it nonetheless allowed Minnesota to take a 36-23 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.
Bronny James made his Lakers debut early within the second quarter and instantly made an impression by contesting a fast shot, though Minnesota took a 20-point lead shortly after. The Lakers tried to chip away on the Timberwolves’ lead, and their late-period burst left them trailing 58-49 at halftime.
Popping out of halftime, Minnesota opted to drop its starters whereas Los Angeles deployed the identical group that began the sport. After falling behind by double digits, the Lakers had been in a position to construct some momentum after Reaves compelled a turnover adopted by a 3 for Russell.
Dalton Knecht was a spark offensively off the bench, changing a transition layup and flattening a 3 to place Los Angeles inside one possession. The Lakers’ aggressive power was in full impact, though a couple of late turnovers left them trailing Minnesota 95-88.
Jalen Hood-Schifino confirmed off his court docket imaginative and prescient by allotting a couple of assists to begin the fourth, whereas Knecht continued to impress with a dunk over a defender after which drained a 3-point basket. Though the younger gamers confirmed off their respective expertise, the Timberwolves bench regained management with a flurry of buckets and received a 12-0 collection.
In the end, the deficit was an excessive amount of for the Lakers and they might take the loss to open the preseason.
What’s subsequent for the Lakers
The Lakers will return to the sector on Sunday to face the Phoenix Suns, nonetheless in Palm Springs.
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