Lakers vs Warriors in Las Vegas

The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Golden State Warriors in a preseason matchup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, attracting an audience of 16,907. Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Las Vegas as an excellent sports town, highlighting its diverse sports teams and fan engagement. Despite the Lakers' 111-97 defeat, LeBron James energized the crowd with his warm-up dunks and notable plays during the game. Courtside, notable figures like Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby expressed excitement about the city's growing sports culture, particularly for basketball. The connection between the NBA and Las Vegas has been historical, with preseason games held in the city since 1988 and a strong presence during the NBA Summer League. Both players and fans showcased enthusiasm for the potential of Las Vegas as a future NBA market.