Darvin Ham’s attempt to get Russell Westbrook off the bench did not last long. Only a few minutes… Because the 2017 MVP will quickly be hit in the thigh, in the first quarter of the match. He then joins the locker room and will not return from the evening.
The rest will also be painful for the Lakers. Deprived of Anthony Davis (back) for this meeting in Sacramento, the Californians are struggling to find the target from afar and to defend their basket against penetrations. Domantas Sabonis dominates Damian Jones, the Kings put outside shots and the gap is quickly made.
Darvin Ham’s time-outs will not be enough to stop the bleeding. His players had no intensity in defense and they were already 21 points behind at the break.
No reaction in the second half, and the Lakers coach therefore quickly released LeBron James to spin. The Kings easily won 133-86 for this last preseason game.
Los Angeles, which should find Anthony Davis for the first game of the regular season, will now wait to learn more about the injury to Russell Westbrook. Can he hold his place Tuesday night against the Warriors? Dennis Schroder, who did not play in Sacramento, will not be available with a thumb injury.
