The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their preseason schedule Friday evening — losing to the Sacramento Kings by a score of 117-116. Not that it matters all that

Friday night's dress rehearsal provided insight into who will likely be in Los Angeles' rotation in the first week of the season.

Rui Hachimura admitted the Los Angeles Lakers are still figuring out their rhythm as a team given their lack of preseason reps.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently came out with an article that analyzed the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. The writer specifically looked at the prese

Friday against the Kings, Dončić played 32 minutes and scored 31 points in his final tune-up. Ayton had 12 points and nine rebounds. Smart scored 14 to go with four steals in 24 minutes. The Lakers finished with 28 assists and nine turnovers.

The Lakers, who open the season Tuesday vs. Golden State, are adjusting to being without LeBron James, which affects the starting rotation, defense and more.

Right now, James and rookie forward Adou Thiero are their only players on standard contracts who are unable to play. That means the Lakers have the liberty of making roster cuts, as they will not need to rely on players who have two-way contracts or Exhibit 10 deals at the moment.

Using Friday's preseason finale as a "dress rehearsal" for next week's regular-season opener, Lakers coach JJ Redick put Gabe Vincent in the starting lineup to fill in for the injured LeBron James.

The Lakers had one final chance trailing 116-113 with 10.8 seconds to go, and Dalton Knecht drilled a triple. The Kings then got a look ahead of the buzzer, and Nick Smith Jr. committed a costly foul as Isaac Jones sealed the game with a free throw with 0.8 on the clock.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt saw action in the first half against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes has supplied an injury update on his health following a preseason scare.