The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason has been marked by their increased focus on long-range shooting. Across two preseason games, the Lakers have attempted 93 three-pointers, significantly improving their shooting compared to the previous season. Head coach Darvin Ham is even encouraging Anthony Davis to expand his perimeter game.

In their third preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the Lakers aim to maintain their hot shooting. LeBron James is sitting out for the second time this preseason, and Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Cam Reddish are also unavailable, allowing other players to seize the opportunity for extended minutes.

With key players on the sidelines, the spotlight remains on D’Angelo Russell, who has been impressive in the preseason. Russell has been particularly surprising, shooting 61.1% from the field and 75% from beyond the arc while recording 11 assists with just one turnover.

Coach Darvin Ham is also focused on finalizing the rotation, and some players have already stood out. Jaxson Hayes had an impressive performance against the Brooklyn Nets, as did Taurean Prince, although he continues to struggle with fouls. Both Max Christie and Christian Wood have shown flashes of excellence in the preseason, but they’ve also faced challenges. Consistency from both players will be a point of interest.

The Kings are eager to secure their first preseason win following a remarkable 2022-23 season in which they surprised everyone by winning the Pacific Division and earning a 3-seed in the Western Conference.

De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis continue to shine as one of the best duos in the NBA, with supporting role players like Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray, although Murray won’t be available for this game. One Sacramento player to watch is Sasha Vezenkov, a three-time Greek League MVP who the team signed to a $20 million contract this offseason.