The Los Angeles Lakers will take the court at Crypto.com Arena for the first time since they were swept in last season’s Western Conference finals when they face the Golden State Warriors on Friday evening.
It will be their fourth preseason contest of the new year and their second against the Warriors in less than a week. On Saturday, L.A. lost its exhibition opener to the Warriors in San Francisco, 125-108, as LeBron James and Austin Reaves were held out due to rest.
On Friday, the Lakers will again be shorthanded. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt will sit due to a heel ailment. In addition, guard Gabe Vincent and wing Cam Reddish will not play because of back tightness and an ankle injury, respectively.
Ham says it’s a precautionary measure for Vincent who was experiencing some back tightness. https://t.co/5XULjt1iaR
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 14, 2023
Vincent has shot very well so far in the exhibition season, while Reddish tweaked his ankle on Saturday at Golden State.
On the other hand, James will play versus the Warriors after missing two of the Lakers’ first three exhibition contests.
LeBron James will play tonight against the Warriors. It will be his second preseason game out of four for LAL. The plan remains for him to play in half of the six-game exhibition slate – likely sitting out vs. MIL and playing in the finale vs. PHX https://t.co/6rke0fBUHG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2023
The Lakers’ final two preseason games will be on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks and on Thursday versus the Pheonix Suns.
