Preseason basketball is weird. It’s a mix of world-class athletes playing at 60% speed and hungry G-League invitees playing like their lives depend on every single possession. If you’ve ever tuned into an LA Lakers preseason game, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One minute you’re watching LeBron James throw a casual no-look pass, and the next, you’re staring at a guy whose name you can’t pronounce missing a layup by three feet. It’s chaotic. It’s often ugly. Honestly, it’s also kind of essential if you actually want to understand how the real season is going to go.
People usually complain that these games don't matter. "The starters only play ten minutes!" they cry. "Why am I watching this?" Well, you're watching it because it’s the only time you get to see the experimental chemistry that defines the modern NBA. For a team like the Lakers, which is perpetually under a microscope, these exhibition matches are less about the final score and more about the "vibe check."
The Reality of the LA Lakers Preseason Game Rotation
In a typical regular-season matchup, the rotation is tight. You have your stars, your reliable bench pieces, and maybe one developmental player. But during the LA Lakers preseason game schedule, all those rules go out the window. New coaches—like JJ Redick—use these minutes to test whether certain lineups can even function together.
Think back to the 2024 preseason. Everyone was obsessed with the Bronny James narrative. Whether you think he earned the spot or it was pure nepotism, watching him share the floor with his dad during those early October games was a historical anomaly. It wasn't about "winning" the game against the Suns or the Warriors. It was about the Lakers organization signaling a new era of family-integrated branding.
You see players like Max Christie or Austin Reaves (back when he was first fighting for a spot) using these games to prove they belong. For a veteran like Anthony Davis, the preseason is basically a glorified cardio session. He’s out there to get his lungs burning and make sure his jumper feels fluid. If he scores 10 points or 30, it literally doesn't change his standing on the team. But for the 14th man on the roster? That missed defensive assignment in the fourth quarter of a meaningless game in Palm Springs might be the reason they get waived.
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Why We Care About Box Scores That Don't Count
It's easy to dismiss the stats. It really is. When you see a box score from an LA Lakers preseason game where a random shooter goes 5-of-6 from deep, your instinct is to say, "It’s just preseason defense." You aren't wrong. NBA defense in October is basically a suggestion. Nobody wants to dive for a loose ball and break a finger before the ring ceremony.
However, the type of shots being taken matters immensely. If the Lakers are suddenly running more high-screen actions or focusing on corner threes, that’s a direct window into the coaching staff’s brain. We saw this transition clearly when the team moved away from the heavy isolation play of previous years toward a more movement-heavy offense. You could see the seeds of that change in the early exhibition games long before the season opener.
The atmosphere is different too. Have you ever been to a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena? Or maybe one of those "home" games they play in Las Vegas or San Diego? It’s lighter. The fans are there to see the stars for twenty minutes and then spend the rest of the night eating overpriced popcorn. But for the die-hards, we’re looking at the spacing. We’re looking at who is talking on defense during a blowout.
The LeBron James Factor
Let's be real. Most people buy tickets to an LA Lakers preseason game to see LeBron. Even at this stage of his career, his presence transforms the arena. But the way he plays in October is vastly different from his "Playoff Mode."
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He’s a facilitator in the preseason. He spends a lot of time standing near the logo, directing traffic, and letting the younger guys handle the ball. It’s a mentorship phase. He’s essentially a coach on the floor with a jersey on. When he checks out for the final time at the end of the second quarter, half the crowd usually heads for the exits. It’s sort of a ritual at this point.
Misconceptions About Preseason Success
There is a famous trap that Lakers fans fall into every single year: The "Undefeated Preseason" or the "Winless Preseason" panic.
In 2012, the Lakers had a "superteam" with Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard. They went 0-8 in the preseason. Fans were terrified. Analysts were screaming. Then the season started, and... well, they actually struggled then, too, but that’s not always the case. Conversely, plenty of teams have looked like world-beaters in October only to fall apart when the scouting reports get serious in November.
The preseason is a laboratory. In a lab, you expect some explosions. You expect things to fail. If a coach tries a lineup with three centers and it gets torched, that’s actually a "win" because now they know never to do it again when the games actually count for the standings.
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Where to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re trying to catch an LA Lakers preseason game, you’re usually looking at Spectrum SportsNet or occasionally a national broadcast on TNT or ESPN. But the real gold is in the local broadcasts. That’s where you get the candid sideline interviews with the GM or the injured players who are mic’d up.
Next time you watch, ignore the score. Seriously. Look at these three things instead:
- The Backup Point Guard Battle: Who is actually initiating the offense when the starters sit?
- Defensive Rotations: Are the players closing out on shooters, or are they "ghosting" the contest?
- Body Language: Look at the bench. Are the stars engaged and cheering for the rookies, or are they staring at the rafters?
The Lakers are a soap opera that happens to play basketball. The preseason is just the "previously on" segment that sets the stage for the drama to follow.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fan
If you want to get the most out of the next Lakers exhibition cycle, stop treating it like a standard game. It's a scouting opportunity.
- Track the "Two-Way" Guys: Watch the players on two-way contracts. These are the guys who will be playing in the G-League but might get called up in January when the inevitable injuries hit.
- Monitor the Minutes: If a veteran is playing more than 20 minutes in a preseason game, it usually means they are out of shape or the coach is unhappy with their rhythm.
- Ignore the Hype: Don't buy into a "Lakers are winning the chip" narrative because they beat a European team or a depleted Kings squad by 30 points.
- Check the Injury Report: If a star sits out for "load management" in the preseason, don't panic. It's almost always precautionary.
The LA Lakers preseason game experience is about the promise of what’s to come. It’s the smell of the hardwood, the sight of the purple and gold back in action, and the realization that another 82-game grind is just around the corner. Take it for what it is: a high-level practice with better lighting. Keep your expectations low, your observations sharp, and your jersey ready for the real opener.