Austin Reaves steps into a lead role for the Lakers with LeBron James and Luka Dončić unlikely to play, as LA visits the Golden State Warriors in a Sunday preseason clash at Chase Center. Reaves followed a 20-point effort against Phoenix and could see heavy usage with James out, while Dalton Knecht also contributed 6 points and 6 rebounds, hinting at a potential early-season role for LA’s guard depth.

The Warriors open their own preseason slate and will use the game to test rotations. Tip is 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) on ESPN, with Fubo and WatchESPN streaming options. For fantasy, monitor minutes and shot volume to gauge Reaves’ value and Knecht’s room to grow as LA experiments with its lineup.

In short, Reaves is the focal point for the Lakers’ early-offense, Knecht is a sneaky upside piece if his opportunities rise, and Golden State’s rotation tinkering could create live-value moments for DFS late in the game depending on how the minutes shake out.

Bronny James is showing real growth in camp, with JJ Redick praising a calmer, more confident read of the game. A rough 1-for-12 preseason night belies a bigger arc from Summer League and a productive G League run with South Bay, where his defense and pace stood out. LA is weighing whether he’ll push for NBA minutes in year two behind LeBron, while Dalton Knecht presses for a bigger role. The path remains fluid but the trend is progress.

The Suns kicked off the 2025-26 season with a decisive 103-81 win over the Lakers in Palm Desert, signaling a pivotal rebuild under new coach and philosophy. Devin Booker anchored the night with 24 points in 25 minutes as Dillon Brooks unleashed his defensive ferocity and relentless effort, helping Phoenix establish an early identity built on hustle, turnovers, and extra possessions. A mix of veterans and 14 new players began to show chemistry, with Grayson Allen spacing the floor and Booker orchestrating the offense in a rock-solid first impression.

From the outset, Phoenix pushed tempo, grabbed offensive boards, and forced six Lakers turnovers, laying the groundwork for a 31-16 first quarter. The Lakers answered in the second, aided by a flurry of free throws, but the Suns still carried a 57-44 lead into the break. The third quarter highlighted Nick Richards, Khaman Maluach, and Fleming on the defensive end as Phoenix extended the advantage to 27, while Booker and Brooks kept the offense humming. In the final stretch, rookies and depth players flexed, with Maluach drawing attention for his size and energy. The Suns head to China next week to face Brooklyn, leaving optimism that the blueprint has real substance for the season ahead.

Knecht’s summer league dip is framed as burnout from an aggressive off-season plan, not a talent issue. Redick says 5 a.m. shots and multiple workouts left him fatigued, but Knecht is now in peak shape and in a better mental place as September begins. He posted 9.1 ppg on 46.1% FG and 37.6% 3P as a rookie, with minutes and role fluctuating. If he fixes defense and maintains conditioning, he could solidify a trusted, two-way rotation role in fantasy lineups.