The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their preseason campaign with a 117-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings, which head coach JJ Redick called a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season. Luka Doncic led the Lakers’ charge, but issues lingered in the team’s play even in a strong individual performance.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha highlighted a key concern on his YouTube channel. During a video about his notes on the preseason, Buha said, “Like the lob connection with the exception of Jaxson has just not been there. They’re still figuring it out with Deandre Ayton. Both Luka and Ayton, Austin and Ayton…entry passes for guys with deep seals and stuff, like, those are getting tipped, and some of the passing can certainly be better in terms of, just like, simple reads and getting the bigs closer to the rim.”

These misreads and tipped passes left key points on the board, showing that the chemistry must be built upon throughout the regular season. Despite the issue, Buha did praise some encouraging signs in the Lakers’ offense.

“But I thought the offensive organization, the pace, the getting out in transition, the hit-ahead passes, getting into early offense…screening was a bit better, the just overall organization offensively was at a very high level in this game,” he said. The pieces for Redick’s offense are in place; they need only to learn to click consistently.

Doncic himself highlighted the team’s need to focus on defense. “In practice, we were more physical. We need to work on our physicality,” he said. To make matters worse, physical defender and backup center Jaxson Hayes had to leave for a portion of the game due to a right wrist contusion following a lob-dunk in the first.

Redick later confirmed that the Lakers X-rayed Hayes’ wrist, and the team would have an update when they practice on Saturday. Any absence from Hayes will put a lot of pressure on starting center Deandre Ayton, who previously emphasized his effort on defense.

Despite the challenges, there is tangible progress. The offensive framework has been good, pushing interior scoring and drawing fouls for free throws. Luka also performed well against the Kings, posting 31 points and 9 assists in 33 minutes, and with LeBron set to miss some time, Doncic’s production will decide how far the Lakers go.

Luka Doncic Receives Unexpected Relief in LeBron James’ Absence

With LeBron sidelined against the Kings due to sciatica, the Lakers started Gabe Vincent next to Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton. The small guard had a chance to prove himself, and he didn’t disappoint.

Vincent was lights out during the game, hitting five shots (with four threes) for 14 points, and continued his hot streak, which he has been on since the win against Dallas earlier in the week, where he had 18 points in the first four minutes.

He said after the game, “I just bring what I’ve been doing since I’ve been here. Just defending, try to defend at a high level. Playmake when I have opportunities, space the floor while Luka and [Austin Reaves] are creating themselves.”

JJ Redick made it clear that, going into the season, the current starting lineup wasn’t set in stone. “I don’t know anything about who I’m going to be starting the rest of the season because, again, there’s injuries and there’s things that happen throughout a year,” he told reporters.

Still, Vincent’s production has given Doncic and the Lakers unexpected relief in LeBron‘s absence, particularly in ball-handling and floor spacing. His explosive performance is an essential reminder that the flexibility and adaptation for the Lakers is almost as important as the talent on the floor.