Lakers Fall to Nuggets in Preseason Finale
Los Angeles concludes its preseason schedule with a loss as it prepares for the upcoming regular season opener.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Lakers fell 121-106 to the Denver Nuggets in their final preseason game. The team continues to adjust its roster following the departure of LeBron James.
Why it matters
This loss marks the conclusion of a preseason dedicated to integrating a new lineup. The organization is looking to build on last season's 53-win performance while navigating significant personnel shifts.
The Lakers' new core of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler played 13 minutes together during the finale. Meanwhile, Quentin Grimes has maintained a 53.3% field goal percentage throughout the preseason.
The players
Luka Doncic
He is a star player who arrived at the Lakers from Dallas in February 2025 and is a central piece of the current roster rebuild.
Austin Reaves
He is a key guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who continues to feature prominently in the team's rotation.
Walker Kessler
He is a frontcourt player recently integrated into the Lakers' primary lineup for the upcoming season.
LeBron James
He is a veteran superstar who recently left the Los Angeles Lakers to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
Quentin Grimes
He is a shooting specialist who has recorded a high field goal percentage through his initial preseason appearances.
The details
The Lakers opened the contest with a starting lineup featuring Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams, while Quentin Grimes contributed as a substitute. The game served as a final evaluation period for the team as they prepare to pivot from a roster previously anchored by LeBron James.
Timeline
February 2025: Luka Doncic arrived in Los Angeles via a trade from Dallas.
April 2026: Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring strain.
October 19, 2026: The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets in their preseason finale.
October 21, 2026: The Lakers are scheduled to play the Golden State Warriors in their regular season opener.
Season Trajectory
This rebuilding effort follows the pattern set by the 2026 NBA playoffs second round sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team is now attempting to reconfigure its identity to remain competitive in the Western Conference after significant offseason personnel changes.
Fantasy managers should monitor the rotation minutes for Quentin Grimes, who has shot 53.3% from the field across four games. The starting lineup chemistry between Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler remains the primary metric to track for rotation stability heading into the regular season.
The takeaway
The team's preseason performance highlights the challenges of integrating a new core after the departure of a franchise cornerstone. Success in the upcoming season will likely depend on the rapid development of chemistry among the new starting trio.
What happens next
The Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to play their regular season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, check out the Los Angeles Basketball section.
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