Due to several key players being sidelined, including LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers didn’t have enough firepower to compete with the Milwaukee Bucks and the debut of the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard losing 108-97 at home. Anthony Davis played 19 minutes and scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds and Max Christie gave a strong performance off the bench with 10 points.

L.A. rolled out a starting five of D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood and Anthony Davis, which provided the Lakers with a big lineup. This unit held their ground against the Bucks’ starters and even established an eight-point lead during the opening quarter.

During the first half, Cam Reddish and the Lakers’ reserves showcased their capabilities by holding their own on the court. Jaxson Hayes made notable contributions with a couple of impressive blocks, Reddish displayed tenacity on the boards, and Max Christie contributed five points by halftime. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo demonstrated his relentless attacking prowess, amassing 16 points in the first half, while Damian Lillard contributed 11 points, enabling the Bucks to secure a three-point lead at halftime.

As expected, Anthony Davis’ night came to an early end during the first half, and the Milwaukee Bucks capitalized on this opportunity by going on a 7-0 scoring run against a Lakers lineup filled with inexperienced and unfamiliar players who were not accustomed to playing together. However, Max Christie showcased his aggressiveness by making a couple of impressive drives in an attempt to ignite the Lakers’ offense. It appears that the sophomore guard is poised to make significant strides in his performance this season.

During the closing quarter, the court was predominantly occupied by players from the South Bay Lakers, including Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge, Maxwell Lewis, Alex Fudge, and Damion Baugh. Unfortunately, this group struggled to score in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Lakers were unable to put up a point until the 8:06 mark.

Colin Castleton provided a boost with a couple of strong dunks, narrowing the deficit to five points. However, a runner by Cam Payne, followed by a turnover by the Lakers and a three-pointer by Pat Connaughton, sealed the final outcome, resulting in the Lakers’ third preseason loss.