Despite primarily utilizing substitutes, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 109-101 in their second preseason contest. D’Angelo Russell maintains his impressive form, accumulating 21 points and eight assists in twenty-one minutes of action. This marked the initial preseason contest in which D-Lo participated in the second half.
Rui Hachimura, who began tonight with 13 points on 50% shooting, and Gabe Vincent, the newest member of the Lakers, both maintained their remarkable form by putting together 18 points on 4-8 shooting from three.
At this time, the Lakers have completed half of their preseason schedule.Given the absences of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and Cam Reddish, it is evident that this was a practice game in comparison to their previous contest against the Brooklyn Nets, which resembled more of a preseason warm-up.
Tonight, as the sole legitimate starter, Russell exhibited the reasons why head coach Darvin Ham is already so highly impressed with him. Since the opening frame, he guided the Lakers’ offense as if it were a well-oiled machine. He began the game with a no-look dime to Gabe Vincent, attacked the basket, and recorded five assists in the first quarter alone while shooting 80% from the field. His colleagues greeted him with high fives as the Honda Center crowd showered him with applause at the 3:33 mark, during which he obtained his initial moments of rest.
With the exception of Keegan Murray, the Sacramento Kings utilized the same starting five they utilized in Game 7 against the Warriors. Despite this, the Lakers maintained control for the majority of the first half. Despite exchanging baskets in the final minutes of the second quarter, the Kings managed to recover and maintained a one-point lead at the half.
Los Angeles began the third game with the same starting five, a feat they have not accomplished all preseason. The chemistry was apparent as Gabe Vincent consistently made three-pointers and Russell maintained his lightning-fast shooting. The Lakers forced a timeout after accumulating 11 unanswered points against the Kings. After another three Russells, a visibly ecstatic AD and Bron ascended from their seats and performed the “Freezer” celebration.
The Lakers held a double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter and continued to extend it by relying on their youthful core. In Orange County, Sacramento was unable to overcome the deficit, and the Lakers cruised to victory.