Lakers stumble in their first 2025-26 exhibition, shooting 31.1% and 6-of-35 from deep with 22 turnovers, and five more tuneups loom before the regular season. With LeBron, Luka, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero sidelined, the result isn’t surprising but highlights major areas to fix.

Austin Reaves shone with 20 points, signaling he may be the early engine for LA, while Deandre Ayton offered an inside presence on defense and rebounding. Offense and transition defense need work, and halfcourt chemistry must improve fast.

Five preseason games remain to tighten ball security, refine reads for Ayton, and build a reliable offensive flow around Reaves. If those pieces click, LA could still position itself for a competitive start to the season.

Lakers begin 2025-26 preseason with key players resting as they pace a long season. LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero sit out the opener. Luka Doncic will skip the first two preseason games, starting his first full season in L.A. after the February trade from Dallas. His EuroBasket 2025 run for Slovenia—34.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 7.1 APG—underscores the high usage he’ll bring when healthy.

LA’s second tune-up is Sunday vs Golden State, with another meeting next week. The exhibition plan will test depth and rotation balance, influencing early-season fantasy expectations as Doncic’s rest pattern and the roster around him shape minutes and opportunities for role players.

LeBron James’ practice absence due to glute nerve irritation and Maxi Kleber’s quad tweak dominate Lakers camp headlines, with a cautious MRI timetable expected for Kleber. Redick indicated Kleber will miss a few days as the team protects him, while LeBron and Marcus Smart also deal with injuries during early preseason. Kleber’s injury history and shooting efficiency fluctuations prompt fantasy-watch concerns about the Lakers’ frontcourt depth. An Oct. 3 vs Suns and Oct. 5 vs Warriors exhibition slate adds urgency for depth and minutes planning.