Preview of Warriors vs Lakers: LeBron’s Status Uncertain, Can Curry Lead Warriors to a Double Sweep in Preseason?

On October 18, the NBA preseason continues with the Golden State Warriors hosting the Los Angeles Lakers.

First, let’s take a look at the Lakers’ situation. Last season, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, placing them eighth in the standings and qualifying for the play-in tournament. They eliminated the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the play-in but were quickly defeated by the Denver Nuggets with a 1-4 series loss. Despite strong performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the results were very disappointing for fans.

This summer, the Lakers did not make significant roster improvements. They let go of key rotation players Delon Wright and Caris LeVert and only added Christian Koloko in free agency, re-signing LeBron James and Markieff Morris. The head coach position was taken over by rookie coach JJ Redick, replacing Darvin Ham. In the draft, the Lakers selected Dalton Cunkle with the 17th overall pick. Compared to Bronny James, Cunkle has a better chance of becoming a regular rotation player this season, while Bronny is more of a “headline-grabber,” bringing attention to the team but performing poorly on the court.

In the new season, the Lakers will still rely heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Compared to other Western Conference teams that made active moves during the offseason, the Lakers have done little, which means there is very little room for error. To be honest, the outside world does not expect the Lakers to make significant progress this season.

The Lakers have played five preseason games so far, achieving a 2-3 record. In their last game against the Phoenix Suns, the two teams went into overtime, and the Lakers ultimately won 128-122. LeBron James did not play in this game, but starting center Anthony Davis had an outstanding performance, scoring 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists on 50% shooting. Starting guard Austin Reaves also contributed 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists, while D’Angelo Russell added 9 points and 10 assists. Rookie Dalton Cunkle, coming off the bench, also scored 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Thanks to the excellent performances of Davis and Cunkle, the Lakers avoided a losing streak. Bronny James scored 4 points and grabbed 2 rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting.

The Warriors also had a poor performance last season, finishing the regular season with a 46-36 record and placing 10th in the Western Conference, where they lost to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament and missed the playoffs.

During the offseason, the Warriors saw the breakup of their “Big Three.” Klay Thompson, who had been with the team for 13 years, and legendary point guard Chris Paul left the team. The Warriors failed to secure Bojan Bogdanovic and Paul George, but they did acquire Mikal Bridges from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bridges can play multiple positions, providing a good addition to the Warriors. Additionally, the Warriors signed Buddy Hield and Melton. Hield can help fill the scoring void left by Thompson, while Melton adds depth to the rotation. Including big man JaVale McGee, the Warriors made some positive additions, although their star power may have dimmed, their immediate impact remains to be seen.

The Warriors have performed exceptionally well in the preseason, winning all five of their games. Before facing the Lakers, the Warriors beat the Detroit Pistons 111-93 and swept the Sacramento Kings twice. In the game against the Pistons, Stephen Curry did not play, but the Warriors relied on a balanced attack with six players scoring in double digits. Jonathan Kuminga recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Moses Moody scored 14 points. All starters except Melton scored in double digits, showing a very good overall state.

In the last five matchups between the Warriors and the Lakers, the Warriors have maintained a perfect record, demonstrating a clear advantage. In their previous preseason meeting, the Warriors defeated the Lakers 111-97. Curry scored 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Draymond Green contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Off the bench, Moody led the team with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, relying on a collective effort. For the Lakers, Anthony Davis scored a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds, LeBron James managed just 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists on 3-of-9 shooting, and Eight Village scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. Cunkle, coming off the bench, added 19 points, while Bronny James scored only 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting. From the preseason performances, the Warriors appear to have a stronger team dynamic compared to the Lakers.

It is understood that for tomorrow’s game, the Lakers still have a large number of players listed on the injury report, including Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt, who are out. LeBron James, Eight Village, Koloko, and Trae Revere are listed as questionable. On the Warriors’ side, Pojermksi and Melton are also listed as questionable. Can the Lakers stop their losing streak against the Warriors? Let’s wait and see.

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