Marcus Smart said he felt strong physically in the Lakers’ preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, adding that he is “mentally ready” for the regular season. Smart acknowledged that the first exhibition game was a chance to find his rhythm with teammates, but Friday’s matchup saw him play more aggressively.
“I felt great out there and we’re only going to continue to get better,” Smart said. He emphasized that building chemistry with the roster is key, particularly in ramping up intensity each game.
The Lakers fell 117-116 to Sacramento in a back-and-forth contest at Crypto.com Arena. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 31 points and nine assists, while Rui Hachimura added 18 points. Smart contributed 14 points and four steals, showing the defensive energy he plans to bring consistently.
On integrating his physical style into the team, Smart stated, “Just follow my lead… I’m going to try to set the tone each and every night.” He highlighted the importance of coordination with teammates like Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent to maintain defensive intensity throughout games.
Smart also addressed his offensive performance, noting that Friday’s game offered a glimpse of his best self. “As I continue to get better and get to 100%, you’ll see more nights like tonight where I’m aggressive and moving very well,” he said.
The Lakers showed moments of promise in the game, with Deandre Ayton grabbing 12 points and nine rebounds and Vincent scoring efficiently with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting. However, Sacramento capitalized on 16 Lakers turnovers, converting them into 15 points, which proved decisive in the one-point loss.
Smart and Vanderbilt displayed versatility on defense, guarding multiple positions and setting the physical tone for the team. He expressed confidence that as the season begins, the Lakers will develop a stronger identity built on that physicality.
Reflecting on his return from injury setbacks over the past two years, Smart said, “For me, that was really tough. I just wanted to get back to a team and show what I could bring.”
