The Lakers' last game started well and went bad fast. Against Golden State, the starters built a 63-50 halftime lead and stretched it to 20 early in the 3rd quarter. Then the Warriors ran off 22-6 and took the 2nd half 51-26 for a 101-89 win. It was their 2nd preseason win over LA, and they got it without Draymond Green and Al Horford. Luka Doncic sat that one out to rest.
There were real positives for LA in that loss. Austin Reaves scored 28 points with 7 assists in 25 minutes. Kessler had 11 points, 9 rebounds, a block and a steal in his debut, and he looked like the rim protector the Lakers went out and got. The bad part was the ball security. Reaves had 7 of the team's 30 turnovers, those turnovers turned into 26 Warriors points, and the giveaways have been a problem all preseason. Jokic's Nuggets are about the last team you want to play loose against.
Denver's injury news is minor. Spencer Jones is day-to-day with a hamstring and has been limited to non-contact work. The Lakers haven't said whether Doncic plays Friday, so check before tip. If both stars play extended minutes, this is a decent first look at Jokic against Kessler. If they don't, it's a look at the end of both benches, and that's how the Lakers' last game got away from them.