– Stars get some rest
The China trip was certainly a big one for the Lakers with everything that was going on during. However, they played on Saturday morning there and traveled back after for the game on Monday.
With the time difference and long flight, the Lakers did not run a lot of their normal rotation players out there on Monday night against the Warriors. Frank Vogel said before the preseason started that he would be careful with his veterans.
After suffering a thumb injury on Saturday against the Nets, Anthony Davis did not suit up for the Lakers as expected. While the good news for Davis is that the injury isn’t severe, he has been listed as day-to-day.
James also sat out for the Lakers, as he performed well and looked really fresh in China. Getting James time off is something that we will likely see a bit more of this coming season. With another superstar in Davis on the roster, the Lakers might be able to afford getting James some extra time off here and there.
With two more preseason games left for the Lakers, we will likely see James suit up for at least one of them. However, depending on how the thumb of Davis is, the Lakers might decide to hold him out until the first game of the season.