The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a new season, following the departure of veteran LeBron James. Lakers star Luka Doncic likes what he sees so far from two of his new teammates. Doncic dropped their names after the team's preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings.
“We all had fun out there,” Doncic said, per the Los Angeles Times. “Especially with Matisse [Thybulle] and Ziaire [Williams], just that beginning of the game, the start, that’s contagious for everybody, and how they start the game, it was inspirational.”
Doncic finished his night with 21 points in just 16 minutes on the floor. He shot 5-for-12 from the field, with a tough night from the three-point line. Doncic made just three of his nine three-point attempts.
Los Angeles rolled over the Kings in the game, 127-103. The Lakers were paced by Doncic's 21 points. He was the team's leading scorer. As a team, the Lakers shot 50 percent from the field.
Article Continues BelowWilliams was hustling as hard as he could for his new club. He finished the game with 13 points.
“You don’t wanna be the only guy out there that’s not being physical, not picking up full, not being a pest,” Williams said. “Coming in, I knew that I saw that the team could use that, someone who could pick up full and could guard the main ball handler and really set the tone on that end. I try to just focus on that every possession.”
The Lakers are searching for the right combination of players to pick up the slack this season left by James. Los Angeles made the NBA Playoffs during the 2025-26 campaign, before losing a series to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers play another preseason game on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors.