Overview

• Luka Dončić logged 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists in just over 22 minutes in his first preseason action after a managed ramp-up following EuroBasket.
• Los Angeles led 66-56 at halftime as Dončić and Austin Reaves combined for 40 first-half points, but the Lakers were outscored 33-16 in the third and lost 113-104.
• Phoenix rested several regulars after returning from games in China, yet Jared Butler scored a game-high 35 points and Jordan Goodwin added 24.
• Head coach JJ Redick criticized the team’s inconsistency and emphasized building habits while the starting lineup remains in flux with LeBron James out multiple weeks due to sciatica.
• Dončić and new center Deandre Ayton showed flashes, including one lob connection, though missed reads contributed to Dončić’s five turnovers; Ayton posted 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks with two preseason games left before the Oct. 21 opener.