The Lakers' preseason finale ended in a narrow loss to the Kings, 117-116. Despite a strong start, the Lakers couldn't maintain their lead, with both teams showcasing impressive offensive skills. Luka Dončić led the charge with 31 points, five rebounds, and nine assists, while Gabe Vincent contributed 14 points in 23 minutes. Rui Hachimura was a scoring machine, scoring 18 points in 30 minutes. However, Austin Reaves struggled, scoring just eight points with eight assists in 32 minutes. Deandre Ayton had a solid performance with 12 points and nine rebounds. Marcus Smart was a standout player, scoring 14 points, grabbing three rebounds, and making two assists and four steals in 23 minutes. Jaxson Hayes, with six points, didn't play in the second half due to a wrist injury. The game started with both teams on fire, with the Lakers shooting 55% and the Kings at 87%. Hachimura was a key player, scoring five of the Lakers' first 12 points. Nique Clifford and Drew Eubanks contributed 10 points for the Kings. Both teams had an impressive shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Luka Dončić quickly reached double figures with 10 points, while Marcus Smart drained his first 3-pointer as a Laker. Smart also showcased his defensive skills with two steals. The first quarter ended with the Lakers trailing by two points. The second period saw Jarred Vanderbilt and Zach LaVine score, with Hayes adding three dunks. Vincent knocked down three straight triples, and Ayton found his rhythm, adding six points. Reaves struggled in the first half, making only two of his nine shots. The Lakers led by three at halftime. Vincent continued his hot streak in the third quarter, hitting another 3-pointer, and Dennis Schröder scored 12 points. The Lakers built a double-digit lead with back-to-back triples. Hachimura was on fire, making four out of four from deep, and four of the Lakers' five starters were in double figures. Reaves struggled offensively but had seven assists. Maxi Kleber made his preseason debut at 3:57. Smart found his offensive groove, scoring on several baskets, and the Lakers led by four going into the fourth. The Lakers struggled in the final quarter, missing their first few shots. Luka Dončić responded with back-to-back 3-pointers, and Smart continued his dominant performance, scoring and stealing the ball. The game came down to the wire, with Sacramento taking the lead at 1:45. The Lakers had a chance to tie it, but Issac Jones' layup made it a three-point game. Dalton Knecht tied the game with a clutch 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. Nick Smith Jr.'s defensive play was negated by a foul, and Jones made one of the free throws. The Lakers couldn't pull off a miracle in the final seconds. Key Takeaways: Smart is a fan favorite, excelling in both scoring and defense. The Luka-Ayton connection is developing, showing promise for the future. The Lakers' next game is the 2025-2026 season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday at 7:00 PM PT. Follow Karin on Twitter for more updates: @KarinAbcarians (https://twitter.com/KarinAbcarians).
