The 2023-24 preseason schedule is nearing its end. The Los Angeles Lakers took the court at Crypto.com Arena to play the new-look Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. It was Damian Lillard’s debut with Milwaukee, and although he struggled offensively, his teammates picked up the slack.
The Lakers took an eight-point first-quarter lead, but after that, the game turned ugly for them. For one of the few times this exhibition season, they had major problems finding the basket. They shot a frigid 37.8% from the field and 26.5% from 3-point range.
Perhaps one reason for those struggles was the fact LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino didn’t play. Head coach Darvin Ham went with Christian Wood, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Cam Reddish to start the third quarter, and his regulars barely played after halftime.
Los Angeles tried to make a late run, but it wasn’t enough as the team lost, 108-97. One deficiency that stood out was rebounding — the Lakers were outrebounded 54-47 and gave up offensive boards in bunches, especially in the first three quarters.