The Lakers' side is defined by who's missing. LeBron James is gone this summer, which makes Doncic the whole offense. He showed up in the lightest shape since his rookie year, scored 21 in the first half of the preseason opener against Sacramento, and then left limping and grimacing with a right hamstring issue. JJ Redick held him out of the Warriors game as a precaution. Whether he plays in Vegas is still an open question, and with a team that only counts in October the safe bet is that caution wins again.
Golden State has a long injury list of its own, and none of it is getting fixed this week. Jimmy Butler's knee has the club hoping for a return early in 2027. Moses Moody is only up to light on-court work after a ruptured left patellar tendon. Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely with an undisclosed issue. De'Anthony Melton went 0-for-6 against the Kings, though he did add 3 blocks. That's why Lendeborg is more than a fun camp story. He's playing minutes the Warriors expected to give to veterans.
If the Lakers are short-handed again, Bronny James, Jaden Hardy and the other depth pieces get another long look, and the minutes that matter for the Lakers sit at the end of the bench. Watch the rotations more than the score. Kerr is still deciding who starts next to Curry, and Redick has to show what this roster looks like without its old centerpiece, with or without its new one.
The real one is coming. These two open the regular season against each other on October 21, so Tuesday is a dress rehearsal for a game that counts, and neither coach has much reason to show anything. Expect starters in short stretches, a long look at the kids, and a final score that shouldn't change anybody's opinion of either team.