Key Highlights
- The Golden State Warriors secured a dominant 124-98 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.
- Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton were sidelined for the Lakers, with Doncic sitting out due to a thigh contusion and technical decision.
- Lakers forward Adou Thiero avoided serious knee injury following an explosive dunk and awkward landing, finishing with 7 points and 4 rebounds.
Warriors Capitalize on Depleted Lakers Roster in Preseason Rout
Just 24 hours after securing a victory against the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a starkly different outcome against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco. Playing without key contributors including Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton, the Los Angeles squad struggled to find rhythm, ultimately falling to the Warriors in a 124-98 preseason defeat.
The Golden State Warriors controlled the pace from early on, driven by efficient scoring across their rotation. Stephen Curry spearheaded the offensive push, posting 16 points while shooting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc in just 14 minutes of action. Brandin Podziemski matched Curry’s tally with 16 points, while Yaxel Lendeborg turned in a standout two-way effort, finishing with a team-high 17 points and pulling down 9 rebounds to anchor the Bay Area team’s commanding win.
Lakers Rotation Battles Through Short-Handed Outing
In the absence of their top playmakers, the Lakers leaned on their depth to shoulder the scoring load. Sandro Mamukelashvili paced Los Angeles with 15 points, followed closely by Jaden Hardy with 13 points. Quentin Grimes contributed 12 points, and rookie Dalton Knecht chipped in 11 points. Despite spurts of offensive production, the group could not overcome the Warriors’ offensive balance and perimeter pressure.
One of the most dramatic moments of the contest came courtesy of 22-year-old forward Adou Thiero. Standing 2.01 meters tall and boasting an elite 117-centimeter vertical leap, Thiero registered 7 points and 4 rebounds. During the game, he executed a high-flying dunk that brought fans to their feet but immediately prompted concern when he landed awkwardly on his right leg. Fortunately, Thiero avoided serious damage and addressed the scare postgame.
It was a hard fall, but I’m fine. I will definitely pay more attention to that, although there are situations in which it’s difficult to worry about the landing. But, of course, it’s something I still keep in mind,
Thiero explained. Reflecting further on his physical development and rim-running ability, he noted: I’ve been improving in that area over the course of the summer and learning to identify when to use my athleticism… There are also times when I can jump surrounded by three players and still get a dunk. It’s simply about having confidence in myself and knowing what I can do in each situation
.
Doncic Sidelined After Strong Preseason Debut
Luka Doncic’s absence was felt throughout the lineup. The Slovenian star was held out of the Warriors matchup by technical decision after sustaining a blow to the thigh. The night prior, Doncic had helped direct the Lakers past the Sacramento Kings, celebrating his return to game action after an extended hiatus.
Following that victory over Sacramento, Doncic voiced his appreciation for being back on the hardwood: I felt very good. Basketball is one of the best things in my life and I missed it a lot. I think it has been five or six months. Playing and competing again is very fun for me, and I am really happy to have returned
.
Doncic also emphasized the broader chemistry the roster is actively building, adding: No
It’s not just about me, but about how the team feels playing together. We’ve shown that we can play very well, especially in the transition from defense to offense, but I feel that we still have a lot of room for improvement. I’m very happy to be part of this team,
Why This Matters
Preseason matchups offer coaching staffs a critical window to evaluate depth, test defensive schemes, and manage player health ahead of the grueling 82-game regular season schedule. For the Golden State Warriors, quick, high-efficiency outings from Stephen Curry alongside breakout performances from secondary players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski demonstrate promising roster depth. For the Lakers, navigating back-to-back preseason games without foundational starters emphasizes the importance of workload management while testing the developmental readiness of young prospects like Adou Thiero and Dalton Knecht.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Luka Doncic miss the game against the Golden State Warriors?
Luka Doncic did not play against the Warriors by technical decision following a blow to the thigh sustained previously, coming just one day after he played in a win against the Sacramento Kings.
What happened to Adou Thiero during his dunk?
Adou Thiero executed an athletic dunk that resulted in an awkward fall on his right leg. Despite the frightening landing, Thiero confirmed after the game that he was fine and that his knee was uninjured, though he acknowledged the need to remain mindful of his landings.
Who were the leading scorers for the Warriors and Lakers?
For the Warriors, Yaxel Lendeborg led with 17 points, accompanied by 16 points apiece from Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski. The Lakers were led by Sandro Mamukelashvili with 15 points, Jaden Hardy with 13 points, Quentin Grimes with 12 points, and Dalton Knecht with 11 points.
