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The Los Angeles Lakers tipped off their 2025 preseason under the desert lights in Palm Desert, but the night ended with a 103–81 loss to the Phoenix Suns. While the scoreboard tilted heavily in Phoenix’s favor, the storylines ran much deeper than the final score.

LeBron & Luka Sit Courtside

The headliners never suited up. LeBron James, still pacing his recovery from a minor nerve irritation in his glute, watched courtside in what is set to be his record-breaking 23rd NBA season. Luka Doncic, traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster summer deal, also sat out as he ramps back up following his EuroBasket run with Slovenia.

Head coach JJ Redick made it clear before tip-off that both stars are expected to appear in preseason action eventually, emphasizing that he wants at least one “dress rehearsal” game with the full roster before opening night.

Bronny James Finds His Rhythm

Bronny James, now turning 21 on Monday, played nearly 23 minutes off the bench in his preseason debut. While the shooting line wasn’t pretty—1 for 7 from deep—Bronny showed flashes of composure running the offense. He chipped in eight points, with his lone field goal coming on a smooth corner three late in the third quarter. More importantly, he wasn’t afraid to mix it up defensively and drew fouls to get to the line, sinking five free throws.

It wasn’t a breakout, but for Bronny, it was a reminder that development is a process—and he’ll likely have plenty of opportunity as the Lakers fine-tune their rotations.

Austin Reaves Steals the Spotlight

Austin Reaves picked up right where he left off last season, dropping 20 points to lead the Lakers’ offense. With LeBron and Luka sidelined, Reaves became the go-to option, showing confidence with his shot creation and ability to draw contact. If the Lakers want to maintain spacing around their new superstar duo, Reaves’ scoring bursts will be crucial.

Deandre Ayton’s Quiet Debut

All eyes were on newcomer Deandre Ayton, but the big man’s Lakers debut was underwhelming. In 18 minutes, he finished with one point and eight rebounds while taking just two shots. Paired alongside Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt in the frontcourt, Ayton will need to assert himself more aggressively once the real games begin.

Suns’ Statement Win

While the Lakers tested rotations, the Suns wasted no time looking sharp. Devin Booker poured in 24 points, showing his midseason form. Grayson Allen added 13, and Dillon Brooks—fresh off his Houston exit—scored 10 in his Phoenix debut. The Suns ballooned their lead to 27 in the third quarter, largely overwhelming L.A. with pace and perimeter shooting.

Looking Ahead

The Lakers won’t dwell on preseason losses, but there’s urgency to build chemistry with their revamped roster. Redick has made it clear: he wants at least one full-strength tune-up before the games start to count. The next opportunity comes Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, a matchup that could give fans their first glimpse of LeBron, Luka, and the rest of the Lakers’ new-look core together.