The Lakers kicked off the season with a win against the Warriors, marking the start of the Luka Doncic era, and it went pretty well, all things considered.
Doncic, along with Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves, really took control. The Lakers’ “Big 3” combined, quite impressively, for 77 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists, five steals, and three blocks.
The defense that Kessler had talked about certainly appeared during the second and third quarters, as the Warriors managed to score only 35 points after allowing 33 in the first quarter.
About the only downside in an otherwise smooth night was a concerning injury involving a key player.
Midway through the fourth quarter, when the Lakers were leading by 33 points, Jake LaRavia made a move towards the basket while being guarded by LJ Cryer.
Cryer blocked his path, causing LaRavia, the 2022 first-round pick, to twist his right ankle awkwardly before he stumbled and fell.
On the court, LaRavia was visibly in pain until team trainers assisted him to the bench.
Fortunately, he managed to put some weight on his leg before heading to the locker room after he was substituted out.
Coach JJ Redick didn’t provide an immediate update post-game but expressed some optimism that LaRavia’s situation seemed better than it initially appeared after the injury.
“I feel a bit more positive than right after it happened,” Redick noted. “But, you know, he’ll need to be evaluated, and I’ll have more information the next time I talk to you.”
Before the injury, LaRavia was performing well, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting during his time off the bench.
“I saw him playing confidently,” Redick said. “When he’s hitting those catch-and-shoot threes, it adds a lot to our game. We have a team filled with players who contribute in ways that might not be visible in the box score or on Instagram highlights. He’s definitely a player who helps us win.”
