Lakers at Warriors: Short-handed loss, Grimes’ starting case among observations

October 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA - The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 124-98 defeat to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center while playing a second night after a back-to-back game. Several key players were missing for the Lakers, including Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, and Arthur Kaluma.

These absences impacted the Lakers' performance, as they lacked the two players expected to organize their offense, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. They also missed two defenders, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, who had helped create pressure during their opener against Sacramento.

Quentin Grimes, the Lakers' guard, continued to make an impression on head coach JJ Redick. Redick praised Grimes' commitment to the defensive end, highlighting his ability to create advantages and contribute to the team's scheme. Grimes finished the game with 12 points, three assists, and shooting 3 of 8 from the field and 2 of 6 from three-point range. Although his scoring output was not as efficient as in his debut against Sacramento, his overall performance demonstrated his value to the starting unit.

The Lakers' defensive activity remained strong despite the absence of Williams and Thybulle, with the team recording 13 steals in this game and finishing with 20 fast break points. It is evident that the Lakers have been able to disrupt possessions even without their full roster. However, simply generating steals is not enough for a complete defensive performance; the team must also focus on disciplined positioning and consistent stops.

Through the first two preseason games, the Lakers have shown the willingness to create chaos on the defensive end, but sustaining this level of play without compromising defensive organization will be the next challenge for the team.