Overview

• Practice closed with a demanding sprint sequence of six lengths in 34 seconds, 10 in 60 seconds, then six in 34, which players accepted as necessary despite the difficulty.
• LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero will sit out Friday’s preseason opener against the Suns at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.
• Redick said regular rotations are off the table for the opener as he prioritizes collective pace and protects players already pushing hard in camp.
• Luka Dončić reported to camp noticeably leaner after the summer and emphasized that mental readiness matches the physical work being stressed.
• Coaches are framing the conditioning focus as a fix for fourth-quarter slippage and defensive concerns that surfaced in last season’s first-round loss.