The Lakers and Nets preseason opener was hardly like the real thing. 
LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza all sat for LA. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Blake Griffin and Joe Harris were among those out for Brooklyn.
So this was hardly a preview of what may be to come. It was more a like a scrimmage between NBA players (and some hopefuls) held at a private gym. Except it actually took place at the Staples Center.
The Nets cruised to a 123-97 win, but Anthony Davis only played 11 minutes and the Lakers were led in scoring by Malik Monk and his 15 points. Rookie shooting guard Cameron Thomas scored a game-high 21 to lead the Nets.
But it was NBA basketball in LA, and the fans were there, and that counted for a lot.
“It was great to just come out the tunnel and you see fans right there and you’re smacking their hands again,” Davis said. “It’s just the little things.”
The announced attendance was 16,000 — the largest Lakers crowd since March 10, 2020, when the Lakers also played the Nets.
“It was great just to be out there, back here in L.A. and play,” Lakers center Dwight Howard said. “I had so much energy, I think that’s why I fouled out.”
More out of LA
- Davis said he expects big things from Monk, a fellow Kentucky product. “We’re still surprised we got him, to be honest,” Davis said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
- It also seemed plenty of future members of the G League’s South Bay Lakers were on full display, as the Lakers coach Frank Vogel gave the likes of Joel Ayayi, Austin Reaves, Chaundee Brown, Cameron Oliver and Mac McClung plenty of second-half run.
- Davis summed it up this way: “Offense will come. We’re not too worried about it, especially when we get Bron, Melo, TA and Russ out there. But it was the first game to see where we are and we got to do a better job defensively, especially blocking out.”
- The Lakers next face the Suns on Wednesday. No word on who might suit up for LA or the defending Western Conference champions.
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