Game 1 of 82 was a night that, once it really went into high gear, offered few real problems or concerns for the Los Angeles Lakers. They demolished the Golden State Warriors in a comfortable 127-105 win. There was at least one thing that stood out as a negative, though.
Luka Doncic (6) and Austin Reaves (4) combined for 10 turnovers between the two of them. That accounted for more than half of the team's 18 total turnovers against the Warriors.
Some of those can be chalked up to growing pains of a major roster overhaul. Even if the Lakers looked ahead of the schedule on the whole, things are never going to be perfect. Some if it was also forgivable aggression from both Doncic and Reaves that was just a touch too ambitious.
In any case, those numbers should come down in the Lakers' matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday once Collin Sexton is suited up. Los Angeles opted against even using a backup point guard. Quentin Grimes coming off the bench was their solution to balance the ball-handling.
Having Sexton available should be a whole different story. The new Lakers guard missed the Warriors matchup due to a calf issue. The good news? He is off the injury report altogether for the second game of the season against the Clippers. That should be a game-changer on offense.
Collin Sexton's return allows the load on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to decrease
Expectations on what Sexton will bring in his first game of the year with the Lakers should be modest. Any type of calf issues are typically met with great caution from smart teams. That could even mean a minutes restriction for the backup guard.
Even if the Lakers exercise those preventative measures to keep Sexton healthy, there should still be enough playing time to go around for him to make a positive impact in this specific department. Having the former lottery pick available lessens the burden of Doncic and Reaves having to be the constant decision-makers and initiators. They get help.
Do not let the 2.3 turnovers per game through his career fool you. Sexton does a good job keeping his offensive aggression from slipping into pure recklessness more often than not.
With the 27-year-old guard, the Lakers get to mix into the backcourt a player who should be able to put pressure on defenses with his scoring and driving. They also get a very capable off-ball shooter. Sexton provides a strong boost either way.
Doncic and Reaves should be thrilled to have an extra man in there to share the pie with. Having Sexton around will make their jobs on offense that much easier.
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