Three Things to Watch for in Lakers’ Preseason Matchup vs. Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers return to action Tuesday in Las Vegas with another opportunity to evaluate how their new pieces fit together before opening night.

Their first preseason meeting with the Golden State Warriors came with several rotation players unavailable. Thursday’s win over Sacramento provided a better look at Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves together, along with encouraging contributions from their teammates.

With two exhibitions remaining, the Lakers still need time together and sharper execution. Here are three things to watch in their fourth preseason game.

Walker Kessler’s return to full practice on Sunday brought him closer to his first appearance with the Lakers. Whether that comes Tuesday remains uncertain, but his debut would allow L.A. to evaluate a central piece of its new lineup.

The most revealing possessions could come alongside Dončić and Reaves. Watch how Kessler’s screens create room for both guards and whether they establish the timing needed to find him rolling toward the basket.

Those actions should also affect the players around them. When a defender leaves a shooter to cover Kessler, recognizing that opening and delivering the next pass will help determine how effectively the Lakers use his presence.

Defensively, his availability would give the perimeter players an opportunity to work with the center expected to support their pressure. Even limited minutes would provide useful experience before the regular season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili has given the Lakers another player capable of advancing the offense without requiring Dončić or Reaves to create every opportunity.

His movement and passing offer different ways to attack. After securing a rebound, he can push the ball himself. In the half court, he can receive a pass and keep the possession moving through a handoff, a drive or a feed to a cutter.

Against Golden State, watch how he responds when the defense directs extra attention toward Dončić. Receiving the ball in space gives Mamukelashvili a chance to extend that advantage before defenders recover.

The same applies alongside Reaves. As their familiarity grows, the Lakers should become more comfortable playing through successive actions. Tuesday offers another opportunity to see whether Mamukelashvili can help those combinations produce consistent looks.

The Lakers’ perimeter activity has been encouraging, but their pressure needs dependable help behind it.

Reaves has emphasized containing the ball while remaining aggressive. When a defender gets beaten, someone must recognize the breakdown and arrive early enough to challenge the drive.

Golden State’s movement will test that coordination. Watch whether L.A. communicates through screens, follows cutters and recovers to shooters after helping.

Kessler would add another layer if available, but those responsibilities apply to every lineup. The Lakers need their aggression to lead to difficult shots without surrendering easy opportunities elsewhere.

With opening night approaching, quicker recognition and more consistent communication would be meaningful signs of progress.