What to Watch for in Lakers’ Preseason Rematch vs. Kings

The Los Angeles Lakers already showed Sacramento what their revamped roster can look like when the defensive pressure and outside shooting come together.

Thursday’s preseason rematch at Crypto.com Arena provides an opportunity to see how much of that performance they can repeat.

Los Angeles won the opener 127-103, with Luka Dončić scoring 21 points in 16 minutes. The Lakers then lost to Golden State while resting several key players, leaving two very different performances to evaluate as they head into their first home exhibition.

The result against Sacramento matters less than whether L.A. continues establishing habits that can hold up once the regular season begins. These are three areas worth watching.

The Lakers recorded 15 steals and forced 26 turnovers in Monday’s opener. They followed that with 13 steals against Golden State, continuing the disruptive approach they emphasized throughout training camp.

That activity gives this group an appealing identity. Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams can pressure ball handlers, challenge passing lanes and help create possessions before the offense faces a set defense.

However, generating steals is only part of the assignment.

Watch what happens when Sacramento escapes the initial pressure. Do the Lakers recover to shooters, communicate through switches and finish possessions with rebounds? Aggression becomes more valuable when it produces difficult shots without repeatedly exposing the paint.

The rematch also gives Sacramento a chance to adjust. L.A. should expect a more deliberate response to the pressure it applied in the opener.

If Dončić plays, the most useful offensive development will be how quickly the players around him recognize their opportunities.

Grimes already offered an encouraging example, scoring 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Sacramento. Williams and Sandro Mamukelashvili also provide options to stretch the floor and capitalize when defenders shift toward the ball.

The next step is maintaining that movement after the first pass.

Watch whether the Lakers attack closeouts, cut behind distracted defenders and move the ball again when Sacramento rotates. Dončić can create an opening, but the supporting players must keep it from disappearing.

Austin Reaves’ availability also matters. If he plays, his minutes could offer an early look at how another creator changes the newcomers’ responsibilities. His return should remain conditional until the team confirms his status.

Grimes has made an encouraging opening argument, but the forward combinations deserve attention as well.

Williams brings length and shooting. Thybulle offers disruptive perimeter defense. Mamukelashvili adds another offensive dimension with his spacing and ability to keep possessions moving.

The question is which combination best supports Dončić and Reaves while preserving enough defense.

Availability could again limit those evaluations, with Reaves and Walker Kessler having missed the opener because of ankle and finger issues, respectively.

No matter who plays, Thursday should offer another useful look at the decisions facing JJ Redick. A strong performance would feature connected defense, purposeful movement and newcomers looking increasingly comfortable in their roles.