2 studs and 1 dud from Lakers preseason loss to Suns in Vegas

Oct 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles ahead of Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles ahead of Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Stud: Kendrick Nunn

Perhaps the most exciting player from this preseason victory for the Los Angeles Lakers was Kendrick Nunn. Nunn put together arguably the best game of any player on either team in this one and proved how big of an impact he could have on LA this season.

Nunn did not get in the starting lineup for this game and in the 19 minutes he was awarded off the bench he turned heads. The former Miami Heat point guard scored 21 points on 8-13 shooting while shooting 4-7 from three.

Nunn was a lethal scorer for the Heat in his first two years in the league and Lakers fans did not get to see that in action last season. Because Nunn missed the entire year with injuries it seems like a big portion of the fanbase forgot just how special he can be.

Los Angeles may have its best bench scorer in Nunn and while it was unfortunate that the team lost Malik Monk, there is a world in which Nunn is an even better and more explosive version of Monk this season.

The Lakers also have more Russell Westbrook insurance in Nunn in the case that LA needs to tell the former MVP to go home if things are not working out. Having a lethal scorer like Nunn in the backcourt to give more minutes certainly makes that potential decision easier.