Lakers New Defensive Identity Shines In Preseason Win

The Los Angeles Lakers revealed their new defensive identity in their preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings.

From tip-off, the Lakers pressed, switched, and pressured the Kings, forcing a shot-clock violation on the first possession. Luka Doncic raised his fist toward the Lakers’ bench with a grin, showing that the team is all in on this new defensive approach.

The Lakers kept that momentum from the first possession to win 127-103, showcasing their deep wing rotation to compensate for a small bench.

Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves were out for the Lakers with injuries; without his two supporting teammates, Doncic led the Lakers with 21 points before sitting out the second half.

“We all had fun out there,” Doncic said, relishing the chance to play in his first competitive game in six months, one of the longest breaks of his career. “Especially with Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, just that beginning of the game, the start, that’s contagious for everybody, and how they start the game, it was inspirational.” 

Doncic didn’t have his best shooting night, going three-for-nine from three-point range; his teammates combined for nine of their first 13 three-pointers. Williams shot a perfect three-for-three beyond the arc with 13 points and one steal, acting as the team’s top on-ball defender. Thybulle, who was another key defensive offseason addition, recorded two steals and made two threes.

“You don’t wanna be the only guy out there that’s not being physical, not picking up full, not being a pest,” Williams said. “Coming in, I knew that I saw that the team could use that, someone who could pick up full and could guard the main ballhandler and really set the tone on that end. I try to just focus on that every possession.”

Coach JJ Redick, in his third season with the Lakers, said it was the first time in his tenure he felt the team had multiple players capable of handling that defensive responsibility. The Lakers call it their “line of confrontation.” Williams, Thybulle, second-year forward Adou Thiero and guard Quentin Grimes were among the players who guarded the ball full court. The Lakers forced four steals in the first quarter and 15 in total. They averaged 8.5 per game last season.