The Los Angeles Lakers understand findiing chemistry is going to take time.
The Lakers fell 121-114 to the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook seeing the floor in the first half.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 0-3 in the preseason, but they are far from concerned.
LeBron and Westbrook played together as Lakers teammates for the first time, each logging 17 minutes in a somewhat rusty return for the superstar duo.
Westbrook scored just two points on 1-for-7 shooting while recording six turnovers.
"Everything is not going to be figured out in the next week or two," said Westbrook. "We've got a long year ahead of us. It's the preseason. We'll figure it out."
Almost Time ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/YZj8OgBEjL
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 9, 2021
James was more direct with his feelings about preseason basketball, chuckling at the idea of the scratchy start being a concern.
"I care more about the practice court than I care about the preseason games," said James. "I'm not gonna learn anything from the preseason at this point in my career. Nothing. Zero."
Russ puts it up. DJ throws it down.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 9, 2021
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/9UoNQWW0C5
Anthony Davis, the third member of the Lakers big three took the night off, with head coach Frank Vogel non-committal about who would play in their next matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
James pointed to not only the change in personnel but the change in offensive system, believing it will be a "process" to discover the best ways to function with the new group.
Elsewhere on the roster, Dwight Howard stuffed the stat sheet to finish with 23 points, 12 rebounds and a block, while Talen Horton-Tucker chipped in with 17 points.
The Lakers will get one more look at the Warriors in preseason action, before the two teams meet on opening night at Staples Center.