The Lakers still have some preseason left… but the finish line is in sight.

In the final preseason game at Crypto.com Arena, Anthony Davis displayed his readiness for the upcoming season by scoring 16 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and handing out five assists against the Milwaukee Bucks in just one half of action.

The Lakers lost 108-97 against the Bucks despite having most of their starters available for only the first half of the game. Thursday’s game versus Phoenix in Palm Springs will be the final exhibition game for the Lakers.

For the first time since the Bucks’ massive deal, star players Giannis Antetokounmpo (17 points) and Damian Lillard (14 points) were on the court together.

Both LeBron James (now in Year 21) and Austin Reaves (who has been playing for Team USA all summer) sat out as the Lakers continued to monitor the two players’ workloads. For the second time in a row, Gabe Vincent was sidelined by back tightness.

The condition of Jarred Vanderbilt is the primary source of worry.

D’Angelo Russell, Lakers: “Just working on the approach” to better defense

He hаs missed fоur cоnsecutive gаmes with heel pаin аnd will be reevаluаted this cоming Fridаy. Cоаch Dаrvin Hаm hаd been infоrmаlly dоwngrаding his оptimism аbоut Vаnderbilt’s reаdiness fоr the seаsоn оpener оn оctоber 24 tо “we’ll see.”

Ham has remarked that he believes the Lakers will have benefits owing to the continuity they carried into training camp, despite the disruptions from injuries this camp.

“Even if guys aren’t physically available, they’re there in spirit, they’re there mentally, locking in on what we’re doing,” Ham said before the game. If you have a group of very talented athletes who also love spending time together outside of competition, you have something special. I think we’re way ahead of the game right now.