Lakers

Russell Westbrook will play in the Lakers' opener despite playing just five minutes in the Lakers final preseason game due to a tweaked hamstring.

Not having [Chet Holmgren](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/66330/chet-holmgren) for the season sucks, but there’s still talent on this team worth watching in [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30582/shai-gilgeous-alexander) and [Josh Giddey](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/64758/josh-giddey). But this season in San Antonio is about Gregg Popovich teaching a young team to get better incrementally, and to see of [Tre Jones](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/50970/tre-jones) or [Josh Primo](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/65143/joshua-primo) can learn to run the point. The Bulls are going to rely on a backcourt combo of [Ayo Dosunmu](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51185/ayo-dosunmu) and [Alex Caruso](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30418/alex-caruso) to improve their defense. [LaMelo Ball](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/57521/lamelo-ball) is out for the start of the season with a sprained ankle, and they are already without their leading scorer [Miles Bridges](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30583/miles-bridges) (away from the team after an arrest on domestic violence charges, it would be a shock to see him in the NBA this season). Look for another All-NBA season from [Pascal Siakam](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30322/pascal-siakam) and a step forward from Rookie of the Year [Scottie Barnes](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/63426/scottie-barnes). That’s another boost to what should be one of the top offenses in the NBA with [CJ McCollum](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29927/cj-mccollum), [Brandon Ingram](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30297/brandon-ingram), and a team that got out and ran in the preseason to take advantage of Zion’s athleticism. We didn’t see much of the twin towers of [Rudy Gobert](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29944/rudy-gobert) and [Karl-Anthony Towns](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30157/karl-anthony-towns) together in the preseason — they only played together in the final game against Brooklyn (and were -16 in the minutes both were on the floor). No [Joe Harris](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30070/joe-harris) or [Seth Curry](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29992/seth-curry) to start the season leads to questions about whether the Nets will have enough shooting to start the season (especially starting two non-shooters in Simmons and Nic Clayton). The only position battle on the roster ended with [Reggie Jackson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29705/reggie-jackson) getting named the starter and [John Wall](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29574/john-wall) coming off the bench. The pressure is on the Clippers this season — this is a championship level roster on paper, one that overachieved last season basically without its stars and now get a healthy [Kawhi Leonard](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29695/kawhi-leonard) and [Paul George](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29583/paul-george) to make that run. [Khris Middleton](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29839/khris-middleton) will miss the start of the season following wrist surgery, and [Pat Connaughton](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30197/pat-connaughton) also is out early, which could expose the wing depth issues of the Bucks to start the season, but they are still going to win a lot of games. With [Jordan Poole](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51434/jordan-poole) and [Andrew Wiggins](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30038/andrew-wiggins) getting paid, things should settle down.

The opening night doubleheader rolls on with the Warriors hosting the Lakers at Chase Center in San Francisco.

7 p.m. - Time: 10 p.m. Lakers will tip off around 10 p.m. Timeout on the floor. The first bucket of Year 20 comes after a strong move on JaMychal Green. James has seven points in the game but his cold shooting is a trend among the team. James has 14 points (on 5 of 15 shooting) and the team is 3 of 21 from deep. — Two free throws from LeBron James cut the Lakers' deficit to seven right before the break, a relief given how poorly LA has shot in the half. The difference has been overall offensive efficiency and execution as the Lakers are up to 17 turnovers while dishing out 14 assists. The Warriors look primed to move to 1-0 as they use a dominant third quarter to take command. Outside of that trio, the Lakers scored 32 points on 11-of-34 shooting. Curry led the way with 33 points (on 10 of 22 shooting) while Andrew Wiggins finished with 20 points and Klay Thompson added 19 points in 18 minutes.

On the plus side, LeBron James and Anthony Davis looked excellent in L.A.'s season opener.

outscored Golden State 60-38 in the paint), which certainly is not sustainable over the course of a season. went on a wild 27-12 run to shave down Golden State's advantage to 12 with under five minutes to go, thanks to some aggressive defense and interior scoring from L.A., and some totally disengaged defense from the Warriors. All told, the Warriors would outscore Los Angeles 91-71 in the third frame. failing to stick with Golden State in transition, and letting the team go on a quick 6-0 run. To that end, non-LBJ/AD Lakers shot just 1-of-10 from the floor in the third period. outscored Golden State 14-2 in the paint for the frame. Stephen Curry and Sixth Man of the Year favorite Jordan Poole led the way for Golden State, pouring in a combined 26 points. Who made the Lakers' third three-pointer of the night (in 21 attempts)? Nobody shot particularly well in the first quarter, so the Lakers were able to keep things close for much of the frame. The Lakers went on a 9-0 run (the Warriors had seven straight misses during this window) with LeBron resting. Although he came off the bench in the Lakers' preseason finale (a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors' NorCal neighbors, the Sacramento Kings), Russell Westbrook started at the point. Los Angeles fell to the Golden State Warriors in Chase Center, 123-109.

'Tanking already?': Lakers 'stink' in opener as great 'p***ed' at Westbrook saga.

You know in our league there’s teams that can do that,” James added. “It’s time for the Lakers to move him ... I think the wear and tear mentally last year and starting this year, playing with Patrick Beverley ... I hate the fact that they made him and (former coach Frank Vogel) scapegoats. “This guy (Westbrook) used to be so exuberant, playing with great energy and great emotion. James, Davis and Westbrook -- supposed to form a “Big Three” capable of challenging for the title last year -- ended up playing only 21 games together. We’ve been through an awful lot together. “He broke our trust with this incident, but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because I think he has earned that and I think our team feels the same way. A roster rebuild that saw the arrival of Westbrook and the departure of several players involved in the 2020 title run was seen by many as the main reason behind the Lakers defensive demise. The Warriors coach says he expects Green -- one of his most trusted on-court lieutenants during a run that has included six trips to the NBA Finals since 2015 -- to rebuild “trust” with teammates and coaches. For most of the past decade, the Warriors have been a model of consistency on and off the court, a well-coached, well-run organisation that has set a standard for the rest of the league. LA was well beaten 32-19 in the third term to trail by as much as 27 points as it was left with no answers on the defensive end to Golden State’s barrage of shooting.

The Golden State Warriors started their 2022-23 regular season with a 123-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The reigning champions celebrated last ...

The Warriors had a nearly perfect third quarter, exploding offensively while grounding the Lakers attack to a halt. The Lakers trio of stars mounted a weak comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, but unable to stop the Warriors, they were unable to cut the lead below 12. While Curry was 0-for-5 from three in the first half, he still scored a game-high 16 points while adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. With a 59-52 lead to start the third quarter, the Warriors had to feel good about one thing: they led despite Curry and Klay Thompson shooting 0-for-8 from three. Both teams started slowly offensively, an understandable consequence of the Warriors pregame ceremony, which forced both teams to stand around for an added 20-30 minutes after warmups than usual. [Golden State Warriors](https://www.goldenstateofmind.com) started their 2022-23 regular season with a 123-109 win over the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com).

my favorite television show is the downfall of the los angeles lakers this truly is the golden age of tv. 8:44 PM · Oct 18, 2022.

[October 19, 2022]

We're only one game into the season, but Charles Barkley has already seen enough of Russell Westbrook in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

But Barkley just wants to see Westbrook in a good situation to get him back to his best. After a summer of speculation that the former MVP could be traded, Westbrook was in the starting lineup at the Chase Center. One game into the season is somewhat of an overreaction, with Shaquille O'Neal countering that he needs to see 15-20 games of Westbrook with this version of the Lakers before any talk of a trade.

Russell Westbrook said he didn't know how to handle coming off the bench in the Lakers' preseason finale and it "absolutely" led to his groin injury.

and the thing is he’s going to get the blame no matter what because the Lakers aren’t a championship contender. Everything else that comes around it, I’ll continue doing what I’m doing, stay locked in on my craft and everything else will take care of itself.” “You know what man, I’m super blessed and leaning a lot on my faith,” Westbrook said. “It’s time for the Lakers to move him,”Barkely said on TNT. “And no one better than him.” But that’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.”

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Celtics beat the 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener.

The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. He was able to get to the free throw line often. The 76ers are looking to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Harden embarking on his first full season in Philadelphia after being swapped for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn.

Russell Westbrook, back in the starting lineup in the Lakers' opener Tuesday night, said he "absolutely" believes coming off the bench in L.A.'s preseason ...

... I think he needs a fresh start, I think the Lakers need a fresh start, because they're not contenders." "I think we played well," Davis said. "I don't think he was ever out of [the starting group]," Davis said. "I admire him. "You know, man, I'm super blessed and leaning a lot on my faith," Westbrook said. I thought he was solid. I respect him. "We wanted to come out and everybody be aggressive. traded for Westbrook in the summer of 2021. A couple possessions I wish I can get back, but overall, I thought he was solid." ... That's something I just wasn't accustomed to." "Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pregame.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors NBA basketball game on October 18, 2022.

[Juan Toscano-Anderson](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4401416/juan-toscano-anderson) received his championship ring from his former team, the first player to accept the sparkling jewelry. ... C [Thomas Bryant](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3934723/thomas-bryant) had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament on his left thumb and is scheduled to be re-evaluated by team doctors in about three weeks. ... [Patrick Beverley](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3964/patrick-beverley) picked up his third foul with 5:46 left in the first half and shot 1 of 5 for three points. “I'm excited for the city of Saginaw, Michigan, to get to see a kid that represents the city well and happens to be playing some really good basketball and playing at a high level his entire career in Draymond Green," Ham said. [Anthony Davis](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis) added 27 points, but the Lakers couldn't keep up in another signature, runaway third quarter by reigning NBA Finals MVP Curry and Co. “And now they get to see another kid who is the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kerr said he will increase Thompson's minutes each game as a precaution following his return in January from an absence of more than 2 1/2 years for surgeries to his left knee and right Achilles tendon. "That has to be something that’s in our fabric, not just against Golden State but against the entire league.” “You’ve always got to be ready for the third quarters, and we were not tonight.” These guys have played at the highest level over and over and over again.” 5, then took a brief leave of absence from the team to work on his emotions. “I’m thrilled with the win,” coach Steve Kerr said.

Russell Westbrook, back in the starting lineup in the Lakers' opener Tuesday night, said he "absolutely" believes coming off the bench in L.A.'s preseason ...

... I think he needs a fresh start, I think the Lakers need a fresh start, because they're not contenders." "I think we played well," Davis said. "I don't think he was ever out of [the starting group]," Davis said. "I admire him. "You know, man, I'm super blessed and leaning a lot on my faith," Westbrook said. I thought he was solid. I respect him. "We wanted to come out and everybody be aggressive. traded for Westbrook in the summer of 2021. A couple possessions I wish I can get back, but overall, I thought he was solid." ... That's something I just wasn't accustomed to." "Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pregame.

Lakers come up short against Warriors in season opener. LeBron James (31 points), Anthony Davis (27) and Russell Westbrook (19) have their moments, ...

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. On defense, he showed flashes of his championship season form, switching onto drives, blocking shots (two) and clawing out for four steals. Outside of the Lakers’ Big Three, only Kendrick Nunn (13 points) scored in double figures. One of the 11 players honored was new Laker Juan Toscano-Anderson, a Bay Area native who grew up as a Warriors fan before catching onto the roster through their G League affiliate. Vásquez) Several other Lakers got out to rough starts: Patrick Beverley was in foul trouble for most of the night, drawing two in the first three minutes of the game. The first loss of the season, while against elite competition, portended uphill sledding to come. Andrew Wiggins hit a 3-pointer in James’ face, and not long after, Curry converted a four-point play that all but signaled a continuation of their title celebration night. A stark third quarter in which the Warriors outscored the Lakers by 13 points, pulling away more and more. greets LeBron James prior to their season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in San Francisco. They saw an opportunity to make a statement, to knock off the defending champions on their own celebratory night. Golden State Warriors guard Ryan Rollins, left, tries to knock the ball away from Lakers guard Scotty Pippen Jr.

Lakers guard Russell Westbrook was back in the starting lineup for the team's regular season opener on Tuesday after playing a reserve role in last Friday's ...

LeBron James says it was no surprise that the Lakers made only 25% of their three-point shots in a season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Then the reality of an aging roster, and injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, set in. “We just got to continue to shoot, shoot, shoot. The Lakers did make four of nine in the fourth, but the game was out of reach by then. I put the work in here, so I live with those results. “And I don’t see myself missing the open looks I had tonight. Get them up in shoot-arounds, individual workouts. Get them up in practice. I mean, I had four or five damn good looks from the three-point line. You continue to defend, you continue to push the ball, you continue to share the ball, you continue to play for one another.” But we’re not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus [percent] career three-point shooting guys.” “It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. “I mean, to be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting.

It appears that LeBron James already knows that your Los Angeles Lakers aren't particularly great. One game into the 2022-23 season, after a rough 1-5 ...

But we're not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus [percent] career three-point shooting guys." [Dave McMenamin of ESPN](https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1582646093090734080) has the full skinny. It's not like we're sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. "To be completely honest, we're not a team constructed of great shooting. Ben Golliver of The Washington Post captured some very candid postgame press conference reflections from the 37-year-old superstar, who had a solid stat-stuffing night during a contest that never got within single digits in the fourth quarter. One game into the 2022-23 season, after a rough 1-5 preseason, it's pretty apparent that L.A.

TNT will have an interesting pair of games to kick off their weekly double-headers. First, the clash of Eastern Conference titans between the Philadelphia ...

[10th-best odds at +2500 according to DraftKings](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/0wps?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D347134020%26wpcid%3D229989%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpscn%3DNBA%26wpcrid%3DInarticle&pcid=229989&psn=Vox&pcn=Inarticle&pcrid=Inarticle&pscn=NBA), a bonafide All-Star in George, and a whole host of good players up and down their roster. [according to DraftKings](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/0wps?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D347134020%26wpcid%3D229989%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpscn%3DNBA%26wpcrid%3DInarticle&pcid=229989&psn=Vox&pcn=Inarticle&pcrid=Inarticle&pscn=NBA) at +600 — and if you believe they can replicate their 2021 path to the title; by bludgeoning their way to the trophy. In addition to the team staying healthy, Davis has to be elite for the Lakers to join the list of title contenders. Of course, this also assumes the Lakers staying healthy which is not exactly a strong bet considering their track record and razor-thin depth. [ According to DraftKings](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/0wps?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D347134020%26wpcid%3D229989%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpscn%3DNBA%26wpcrid%3DInarticle&pcid=229989&psn=Vox&pcn=Inarticle&pcrid=Inarticle&pscn=NBA), they are +800 to win it all which is third-best in the Eastern Conference and fifth-best across the league. For the Lakers, their ceiling depends heavily on just how good Anthony Davis can be this year. Are the Clippers really the odds-on favorite to win the title or are they simply great on paper? [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.libertyballers.com) and [Milwaukee Bucks](https://www.brewhoop.com). The question with them is not if they can win regular season games; it lies in the struggles Harden and head coach Doc Rivers have had in the postseason. Philadelphia has every piece needed to win the title. Simply put, Vegas does not seem them as the contender most likely to enjoy postseason success. Could this be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals?

LeBron's 'truth' bomb exposes glaring Lakers flaw... and that's just start of their problems.

if I’m starting and I’m probable, then I won’t be there to start the season’ and then that becomes a distraction and the ball starts to move a little bit faster,” Jefferson said. The wear and tear mentally... “The Lakers stink. playing with Patrick Beverley ...he’s going to get the blame no matter what. James recorded 31 points on 12-of-25 shooting (3-of-10 from three) to go with 14 rebounds and eight assists. “He was sending a message that ‘if you guys try and do this… Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. But that’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.” But definitely wasn’t something I was used to. It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. “But that doesn’t deter us from still trying to get great shots.

LeBron James says the Lakers must keep shooting threes even though they aren't good at it. Russell Westbrook blames bench role for pulled hamstring.

Whether you make a shot, or you miss a shot, you turn the ball over, or whatever, you got to have a short memory and get on to the next play immediately. And really, for the first 10 games of the Lakers’ season, things will mostly stay that way. You continue to defend, you continue to push the ball, you continue to share the ball, you continue to play for one another. “And they genuinely care, so that’s [why] they have the disappointment in the first place. “Like, you got to have a short memory. “We got to stay on our toes, be able to move onto the next play. The postgame chatter came after the Lakers didn’t look in the same class as the defending champs despite strong offensive games from Anthony Davis, James and Westbrook. “Guys just got to step up and knock down the shots. “You continue to defend. You continue to trust the shot. “They are all open looks designed within the system,” Ham said. “Didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t going to risk it in a preseason game.

Following a 123-109 defeat at the hands of the reigning 2022 championship-winning Golden State Warriors last night, several Los Angeles Lakers did not mince ...

But that’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.” But definitely wasn’t something I was used to. didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t going to risk it in a preseason game.

There was plenty of pomp and circumstance as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the second game of a doubleheader on NBA Opening ...

Try not to put too much thought into a game,” said James. “To be completely honest, we’re not a team constructed of great shooting… it’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. It’s been 243 days since she’s been wrongfully incarcerated in Russia, and we hope that she comes home soon.” And we pray. We want to continue to let her name be known.