Lakers Absent LeBron and Reaves, Battle Hard Against Bucks in Dame’s Debut
The Lakers faced a challenging matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, missing key players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Despite the absence of their star players, Anthony Davis and Max Christie displayed great effort on the court.
Due to several Lakers players being sidelined, including LeBron James and Austin Reaves, they struggled to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks, ultimately losing 108-97 in their home game. This game marked the debut of the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Anthony Davis had a solid performance, contributing 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play, while Max Christie provided a strong boost off the bench with 10 points.
The Lakers started the game with a formidable lineup consisting of D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and Anthony Davis. This lineup held its own against the Bucks’ starters and even led by as much as eight points during the opening quarter.
During the first half, Cam Reddish and the Lakers’ reserves made significant contributions. Jaxson Hayes showcased his shot-blocking skills, Reddish was relentless on the boards, and Max Christie scored five points. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s aggressive play, leading to 16 first-half points, coupled with Damian Lillard’s 11 points, gave the Bucks a three-point lead at halftime.
As expected, Anthony Davis’ night came to an early end in the first half, and the Bucks capitalized with a 7-0 run against an inexperienced and unfamiliar Lakers unit. Max Christie showed aggressiveness and initiated several drives to spark the Lakers’ offense, indicating potential growth in his sophomore season.
The final quarter featured the South Bay Lakers, with Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge, Maxwell Lewis, Alex Fudge, and Damion Baugh taking the floor. However, this group struggled to score in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Lakers remained scoreless until the 8:06 mark.
Colin Castleton’s powerful dunks briefly closed the gap to five points, but a Cam Payne runner, a Lakers turnover, and a Pat Connaughton three-pointer sealed the victory for the Bucks, handing the Lakers their third preseason loss.
Key Takeaways:
Throughout the preseason, the Lakers have consistently performed well, showcasing their commitment and depth, regardless of player absences. They have executed their offensive strategies effectively and remained competitive in every game.
With one preseason game remaining, and LeBron having participated in two out of three games as planned, the Lakers are poised to field a full-strength lineup, with the exception of Jarred Vanderbilt, in their final preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. This dress rehearsal will be nationally televised on NBA TV and locally on Spectrum SportsNet, taking place at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs.
