Two teams that reversed fortunes with wins following opening-day losses go for their second straight victories when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
Playing for a second time without the injured LeBron James, the Lakers bounced back from a disappointing opening loss to the Golden State Warriors with an impressive 128-110 dismantling of the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
At the same time in the northern half of the state, Domantas Sabonis followed in a Malik Monk miss with the difference-making points as the Kings, beaten in their opener at Phoenix, thrilled the home fans with a 105-104 triumph over the Utah Jazz.
Luka Doncic was the star of the Lakers’ victory, scoring 49 points after his 43 points went for naught two nights earlier. He missed a triple-double by two assists after coming up one assist shy against Golden State.
But Doncic is now expected to miss a week of action, starting Sunday, because of a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion, ESPN reported.
His absence comes after he became the first Lakers player with consecutive 40-point efforts to open the season. Only Wilt Chamberlain (once each for the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors), Michael Jordan (for the Chicago Bulls) and Anthony Davis (for the New Orleans Pelicans) had done it previously in NBA history.
“I wish we won the first game, but obviously it’s a good comeback,” Doncic told reporters after Friday’s win. “I feel great. I want to win every game.”
The injury means the Lakers will be without both Doncic and star LeBron James (sciatica). Doncic still has not faced the Kings as a member of the Lakers.
All four games in the Lakers-Kings season series last year occurred before the end of the 2024 calendar. That included a three-day, two-game sequence in the California capital in December, when the Lakers swept with 113-100 and 103-99 wins behind a total of 31 points and 34 rebounds from Davis before his trade to Dallas, 51 points from James and 41 points from Austin Reaves.
De’Aaron Fox, subsequently dealt to San Antonio, led the Kings with a total of 57 points in the losses, while Sabonis found time for 37 points and 31 rebounds.
The Kings have since added Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook, both of whom made their Sacramento home debuts in Friday’s win. The two former Lakers combined for 24 points in the victory.
Westbrook was given the honor of lighting Sacramento’s signature purple beam after the game.
“Been looking forward to doing that since I’ve been here,” the veteran declared at his postgame press conference. “Good to get a win. Always good to get your first win.”
Sabonis had been doubtful for the home opener because of a hamstring injury suffered in the preseason. He sat out the season opener in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Sabonis not only declared himself ready to go during Friday’s warmup, but he then put in almost 37 minutes, recording 12 points and 12 rebounds.
–Field Level Media
