West Notes: Lakers, Austin Reaves, Warriors, Brandin Podziemski, Blazers

Lakers

The Lakers finally got one in the win column. After dropping their first two preseason games, they looked like a different team Sunday night, topping the Warriors 126-116 in a game that felt far more connected than the previous two outings, writes Robert Marvi of USA Today.

Austin Reaves led the way, scoring 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting in just 23 minutes. He looked sharp, confident, and ready to take on a bigger load while LeBron James continues to rest with sciatica.

Reaves briefly exited after taking a knee to the lower leg in the third quarter, but coach JJ Redick downplayed any concern.

“I think Austin’s fine,” Redick said, via Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. “He’s been explosive and efficient all camp.”

The Lakers play three more preseason games this week — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday — before getting three full days off to prepare for their Oct. 21 opener against the Warriors.

Warriors

Golden State’s preseason win streak is over. The Warriors had won eight straight dating back to last year before falling in Los Angeles, and they did it shorthanded.

Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and Moses Moody all sat, with Moody now ruled out for the rest of preseason due to a strained calf.

That opened the door for second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who turned in the best performance of his young career.

He scored 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding eight assists and five rebounds in 26 minutes. He ran the offense, hit timely shots, and showed real poise.

Jonathan Kuminga had 13 points and six assists but no rebounds, continuing a preseason theme of flashes mixed with inconsistency.

“There’s still work to do,” coach Steve Kerr told reporters afterward. “We’re tinkering with combinations, and that’s what this time is for.”

The Warriors’ shooting woes didn’t help. They hit just 33 percent from deep and failed to attempt a single free throw in the first half, while Los Angeles went 13-of-15 from the line.

With so many rotation players out, Kerr leaned heavily on fringe roster guys and younger wings, saying afterward that the spacing “just wasn’t there.”

Blazers

In Portland, the talk was all about rookie center Yang Hansen, who put on a show in a one-point win over the Kings.

The 7-foot-1 big man erupted for 14 points in the third quarter alone, going 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from deep.

Teammate Caleb Love summed it up simply: “That boy different,” he said, via Joe Freeman of the Oregonian. “He’s a talent. He’s a joy to be around, and he’s just getting better.”

Through two preseason games, Hansen is averaging 10 points on 54 percent shooting, plus 40 percent from three.

The 20-year-old has quickly gone from curiosity to someone who might force his way into Portland’s regular rotation sooner rather than later.