The Lakers began their preseason against one of the last teams they faced, the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and LeBron James.Without LeBron James and Austin Reaves for precautionary reasons, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell combined for 30 points in the first half of the Warriors’ 125-108 defeat.

Both clubs used their normal starting in the first half before switching to reserves in the second.

The Lakers were mainly uneven with their major rotation players on the court. Davis attacked Warriors center Kevon Looney in the post and near the rim, as he did in the postseason, before stepping back and making a pair of three-pointers. Davis had 15 points and five rebounds in less than 13 minutes of action.

Coach Darvin Ham lobbied for Davis to play freely on offense before the game, expecting him to be more aggressive from deep if the opportunity arose.

“It’s simply a matter of him seizing various opportunities and making quick decisions.” “It’s not like, ‘OK, I need you to come out here and make a three every time you pop,'” Ham explained. “Just do what makes sense within the context of what we’re attempting to do offensively.” If the situation screams for a post-up, a short roll, or a pick-and-pop three, go for it.”

Russell also attacked the Golden State defense, demonstrating his ability to score at the basket, from mid-range, and from three-point range.

However, without James and Reaves, the Lakers’ primary playmakers, the ball was halted much too frequently on offense for the club to develop any consistent rhythm.

For the Warriors, Thompson had 10 points, Curry had eight, and Chris Paul had six points and five assists.

Max Christie had 15 points, 13 in the second half, and Rui Hachimura had 12. Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood, both newcomers, scored seven and five points, respectively.

Cam Reddish was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter due to an injured right ankle.

Before the game, Golden State coach Steve Kerr praised Reaves, whom he coached in the FIBA World Cup with Team USA this summer.

“Way better to coach him than to coach against him, for sure,” Kerr was quoted as saying. “I had a lot of fun coaching him. Austin is a wonderful, talented individual. I believe he is far more talented than people give him credit for. I mean, he’s extremely talented, athletic, intelligent, and tough. There’s a reason he caused so much trouble for us and everyone else last year.”

Reaves is slated to play against Brooklyn on Monday in Las Vegas. This week, James stated that he hopes to participate in half of the Lakers’ six preseason games.