Los Angeles prep remains a work in progress as the Lakers navigate star-rest patterns with Doncic, James, and Reaves yet to share the court this camp. Sunday’s 111-103 loss to Golden State featured all three on the sideline, while Gabe Vincent stepped up with 16 points and Deandre Ayton contributed early. Coach JJ Redick preaches championship habits, pace, and physicality, chasing Kaizen—1% daily gains—across a shortened preseason slate. A week of practice remains before the Oct. 12 home tilt and the Oct. 21 opener.

With Curry and the Warriors resting veterans, the night underscored depth testing and the need for reliable fill-ins. The storylines center on workload management, ramp-ups for aging stars, and which role players will seize minutes in the early going. Fantasy managers should watch Vincent’s impact, Ayton’s early involvement, and how the Lakers balance star load with rapid, disciplined possession.

Deandre Ayton aims to anchor the Lakers’ defense, trading some scoring for rim protection and boards. In Friday’s preseason he notched two blocks and eight rebounds in 18 minutes, signaling a defensive commitment.

If he stays anchored in the paint and controls second chances, the Lakers could lift their ceiling with LeBron and the rest of the lineup benefiting from higher defensive efficiency and cleaner transition opportunities.

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.

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.