The Lakers opened their preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings with an impressive performance, cruising to a commanding victory behind a dominant showing from Luka Dončić.
With LeBron James no longer on the Los Angeles roster, the spotlight is firmly on Dončić as the Lakers prepare for a new era. The star guard wasted little time showing why the offense is expected to revolve around him throughout the 2026-27 NBA season.
Luka Dončić Leads Lakers Against Kings
Dončić finished the Lakers vs Kings preseason contest with 21 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. His offensive efficiency helped Los Angeles establish control early.
The Lakers jumped out to a massive 73-47 halftime advantage, with Dončić scoring all 21 of his points before the break. He attacked the basket, knocked down shots from outside, got to the free-throw line and created opportunities for teammates in transition.
Once the Lakers had built such a comfortable advantage, head coach JJ Redick had little reason to risk playing Dončić for the remainder of the game.
The performance offered an early glimpse of what the Lakers’ offense could look like without LeBron. Dončić is expected to have the ball in his hands frequently, using his scoring and playmaking ability to create opportunities for the rest of the roster.
Bronny James Makes Impact Off the Bench
While Dončić provided the headline performance, Bronny James also received meaningful playing time for the Lakers.
James finished with three points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. He entered the game as a secondary playmaker and showed his value in areas beyond scoring.
His ability to rebound, defend and move the ball could be important as he continues to compete for consistent minutes.
Three-point shooting could be particularly significant for James. With Dončić expected to attract plenty of defensive attention, there should be opportunities for teammates to find open shots around him.
Darius Acuff Jr. Impresses for the Kings
The Kings also had a promising individual performance from Darius Acuff Jr.
Acuff Jr. scored 19 points while adding two rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal. Despite Sacramento struggling to keep pace with Los Angeles, the young guard displayed offensive ability and playmaking potential.
His performance gives the Sacramento Kings another encouraging development to evaluate during the preseason.
Domantas Sabonis finished with four points, three rebounds and three assists, while Zach LaVine contributed nine points.
Lakers Establish New Offensive Identity
One of the biggest takeaways from the game was how naturally the Lakers’ offense appeared to flow through Dončić.
With LeBron gone, Los Angeles needs a clear offensive centerpiece, and Dončić appears ready to assume that responsibility.
His ability to score from all three levels while creating shots for teammates gives the Lakers a versatile offensive foundation. Players such as Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jake LaRavia also found success from beyond the three-point line.
If those supporting players can consistently convert open opportunities, defending the Lakers could become difficult throughout the regular season.
Lakers Look Ahead to Warriors
The Lakers will have another preseason opportunity to evaluate their new-look roster when they face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
For Dončić, the goal will be to continue building rhythm before the regular season begins. For younger players such as Bronny James, the upcoming games provide another chance to earn minutes and establish their roles.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings will continue evaluating their roster and young talent, including Darius Acuff Jr., as they prepare for the regular season.
The preseason result ultimately carries limited weight, but the Lakers’ performance offered an encouraging early sign. Dončić looked comfortable as the team’s offensive leader, while the supporting cast showed flashes of the depth Los Angeles will need.
For Lakers fans, the post-LeBron era could be getting off to an exciting start.
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