The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 114-110 preseason victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. After struggling in their previous game against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers showed improvement, with three players delivering impressive performances to help the team earn the win.
Although the Lakers started slowly and scored just 20 points in the first quarter, their defense kept them competitive before the offense found its rhythm. Los Angeles finished the game shooting 46.2% from the field, recording 27 assists and scoring 19 fast-break points.
The Sacramento Kings also created opportunities in transition, scoring 27 fast-break points and adding 22 points from second-chance opportunities. However, the Lakers did enough down the stretch to secure the four-point victory.
Lakers vs Sacramento Kings: Game Highlights
The Lakers entered Thursday’s matchup looking to bounce back after a 124-98 preseason loss to the Warriors on Tuesday. Luka Doncic and Matisse Thybulle returned to action, while Austin Reaves made his first preseason appearance.
While the team’s established players attracted attention, Adou Thiero, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jake LaRavia emerged as three of the biggest positives from the game.
Their performances demonstrated the depth available to the Lakers as the team continues preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
1. Adou Thiero Brings Energy on Both Ends
Adou Thiero once again showed why his energy and athleticism make him an intriguing young prospect for the Lakers.
Thiero finished with six points on 3-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes. Although his scoring total was modest, he made an impact through his defensive activity and ability to finish plays around the basket.
He recorded two steals and two blocks, along with three rebounds and one assist. His defensive contributions helped Los Angeles disrupt Sacramento’s offense and generate opportunities in transition.
Thiero also delivered a pair of fast-break dunks, including an alley-oop finish early in the contest. Those plays highlighted his athletic ability and willingness to attack the basket.
For the LA Lakers, performances like this are valuable during preseason. Thiero does not need to score heavily to contribute, especially when he can defend multiple possessions aggressively and provide a spark off the bench.
2. Sandro Mamukelashvili Scores 19 Points
Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered one of the most impressive offensive performances of the night, finishing with 19 points against the Sacramento Kings.
The forward-center made seven of his 10 field-goal attempts and connected on three of six shots from beyond the arc. He also recorded three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 21 minutes.
Mamukelashvili had already shown promise earlier in the preseason, scoring 15 points on Tuesday. His latest performance continued that positive trend and demonstrated his ability to contribute in several areas.
His versatility was particularly noticeable. He displayed the ability to shoot from the perimeter, create opportunities for teammates and handle the ball in transition. Those skills can help the Lakers maintain offensive flow in both half-court situations and faster possessions.
His combination of shooting, passing and ball-handling could make him a useful option as the coaching staff evaluates its rotation ahead of the regular season.
If he maintains this level of efficiency, Mamukelashvili could strengthen the Lakers’ frontcourt depth.
3. Jake LaRavia Finds His Shooting Rhythm
Jake LaRavia also delivered a strong performance, finishing with 19 points in 24 minutes against Sacramento.
LaRavia shot 6-of-9 from the field and made three of his six three-point attempts. He added four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block, producing an all-around contribution for Los Angeles.
His perimeter shooting was particularly encouraging. After experiencing shooting difficulties last season, LaRavia has looked more comfortable during the early preseason schedule.
His performance against the Kings suggested that his confidence is improving, especially when taking open shots from beyond the arc.
Reliable outside shooting is important for the Lakers because it can create additional space for players who attack the basket or operate with the ball in their hands.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves among the team’s key offensive players, productive shooters can help open driving lanes and give the offense more options.
LaRavia’s performance was therefore another positive development for a Lakers team looking to improve its offensive consistency.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves Return to Action
The Lakers also welcomed back Luka Doncic and Matisse Thybulle after both players missed Tuesday’s game against Golden State.
Austin Reaves made his first preseason appearance, giving the coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate the team’s offensive combinations.
Doncic’s presence is particularly important because of his playmaking, scoring and ability to control the pace of a game. His return also gives the Lakers an opportunity to develop chemistry among their primary ball-handlers before the regular season begins.
Meanwhile, Reaves’ return provides another ball-handling and scoring option. As the preseason progresses, the Lakers will look to build consistency across their lineup while managing player workloads.
Bronny James is another young player Lakers fans will be watching as the team continues evaluating its roster and developing its younger talent. His progress and opportunities during the preseason will remain a point of interest for supporters.
What the Lakers’ Win Means
The 114-110 result gives Los Angeles a positive response after its disappointing loss to the Warriors. However, the performance also revealed areas that need attention.
The Lakers struggled to score early, allowing Sacramento to remain competitive. Their opponents also generated significant production through fast breaks and second-chance opportunities.
Improving transition defense and limiting offensive rebounds will be important as the team prepares for tougher regular-season competition.
On the positive side, Mamukelashvili and LaRavia each scored 19 points, while Thiero contributed defensively. Their performances provided encouraging signs about the team’s depth beyond its leading stars.
Preseason results do not determine regular-season success, but these games allow coaches to evaluate lineups, test rotations and identify players who can fill important roles.
Lakers vs Kings: Final Takeaway
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 114-110 in a preseason matchup highlighted by strong performances from Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero.
Mamukelashvili and LaRavia led the way with 19 points apiece, while Thiero made his presence felt through defensive plays and athletic finishes.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves returning to action, the Lakers also gained valuable opportunities to develop chemistry ahead of the regular season.
The next challenge for Los Angeles will be building on this victory, improving its defensive rebounding and transition defense, and finding consistent contributions throughout the roster. For Lakers fans, the performances of these three players offered encouraging signs as preseason preparations continue.
Leave a Reply