Jeremiah
The Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Golden State Warriors in their final preseason game on Friday, and it was a night to forget. The Warriors dominated, winning 132-74, prompting a range of reactions from NBA fans.
Some labeled it an embarrassing loss for the Lakers, while others expressed disbelief over the score, despite it being preseason. Fans were also impressed by the Warriors’ flawless preseason record, noting that the Lakers were thoroughly outmatched.
From the start, it was clear the Lakers were at a disadvantage, having rested their key starters and fielding a lineup that included Bronny James, Quincy Olivari, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes. In contrast, the Warriors had a stronger lineup with De’Anthony Melton, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, making the final score even more shocking.
The Lakers struggled offensively, shooting just 34.1% from the field and 24.1% from three-point range, while the Warriors shot 58.0% overall and 36.1% from beyond the arc, showing little resistance even after the Warriors substituted their starters.
Despite the lopsided score, there were some bright spots for the Lakers. Bronny James had his best preseason performance, scoring 17 points along with four rebounds, one assist, three steals, and one block, finally hitting his first three-pointer. Olivari also impressed with 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists, continuing his strong play.
However, Hood-Schifino struggled, contributing only six points, three rebounds, seven assists, and one steal, raising concerns about his performance since being drafted 17th overall in 2023. With the loss, the Lakers finished the preseason with a 2-4 record, although Anthony Davis showed promise for the upcoming season.
One major issue for the Lakers was their three-point shooting, finishing at just 30.7% for the preseason, which is inadequate for a team aiming for contention.
On the other hand, the Warriors wrapped up their preseason undefeated at 6-0. While they showed promise with young talents like Kuminga and Moses Moody, doubts remain about their title aspirations, as they still need another star alongside Stephen Curry.
