Olivari shines and James makes strides, signaling hope for the Lakers’ future amidst a tough defeat.
The Golden State Warriors capped off a flawless preseason with a resounding 132-74 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with an impressive 6-0 record.
This makes them the only team in the NBA to remain undefeated throughout the preseason, a promising sign as they head into the regular season.
The Lakers struggled to find their footing, plagued by turnovers and poor shooting, as the Warriors quickly took control of the game.
With a commanding 34-18 lead at the end of the first half, Golden State capitalized on LA’s lack of defensive cohesion, particularly in the paint, despite resting star player Steph Curry. The Warriors’ dominance continued unabated, leading them to a comfortable halftime advantage of 66-40.
With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves all sidelined for the game, the Lakers turned to their young lineup of Jalen Hood-Schifino, Quincy Olivari, Bronny James, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes.
The Warriors’ starting five featured De’Anthony Melton, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Coming off the bench, Golden State showcased their depth with players like Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, Kevon Looney, and Moses Moody.
This dominating performance is reminiscent of past seasons, particularly the last time the Warriors finished the preseason undefeated, which coincided with their championship run.
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Despite the heavy defeat, Quincy Olivari and Bronny James stood out as bright spots for the Lakers.
Olivari, an undrafted free agent from Xavier originally projected for the G-League, shone with 22 points and six rebounds in 39 minutes. Earlier in the preseason, he had ignited a fourth-quarter comeback in Milwaukee, and he displayed that same sharp shooting against the Warriors, hitting five three-pointers.
Bronny James, who has faced a rocky preseason, finally found his footing in this matchup. With an extended run, he played with increasing confidence, making his first three-pointer of the preseason and completing a lob from Olivari for his first professional dunk.
James ramped up his aggressiveness, taking 17 shots and finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, and three steals over 35 minutes.
While the team’s overall outcome was disappointing, the performances from Olivari and James offer hope for the Lakers moving forward.
Buddy Hield has seamlessly integrated into the Warriors’ roster. In the game against the Lakers, he contributed 14 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also added four rebounds and four assists.
Through six preseason games, Hield is averaging an impressive 12.2 points per game while shooting a blistering 48.4% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor adds another dimension to the Warriors’ offense.
The Warriors are adjusting to life after Klay Thompson’s departure to the Mavericks this offseason. With Thompson gone, the team has turned to Hield as a potential new splash brother alongside Stephen Curry.
In addition to Buddy Hield’s strong performance, several other Warriors made significant contributions, all finishing in double figures. Jonathan Kuminga led the way with 17 points, while Trayce Jackson-Davis added 12 points to the mix. Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 13 points, and Brandin Podziemski was a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points. Moses Moody also made his mark with 14 points.
The Warriors are set to kick off the 2024-25 regular season with a pair of road games, starting with a visit to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, followed by a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Friday.
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