Lakers aim to tighten ball security as preseason winds down with two games left

Los Angeles is entering the back half of its preseason with the same priority that tends to matter most in the NBA’s final tune-up phase: keeping players available while using the last games to correct the mistakes that can become costly once the schedule shifts to meaningful contests.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers still have “plenty to clean up” with two preseason games remaining. The team’s regular-season timeline is close, too. The opener is slated for Oct. 21 Arena against Golden State, about a week away, which means these final practices and preseason appearances are likely to carry a heavier emphasis on finishing plays and simplifying decision-making.

Preseason margins are often created by small lapses rather than large schematic breakdowns, and this group appears to be circling one consistent theme, ball control. The Yahoo Sports material highlighted that Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic both need to turn the ball over less, underscoring that the coaching staff’s checklist is not only about systems, but also about routine plays such as entries into the paint, outlet decisions, and late-shot-clock ball security.

That focus matters because the Lakers’ first regular-season stretch will come quickly after the preseason ends. When a team eliminates avoidable turnovers, it protects possessions that would otherwise be surrendered in transition, and it also raises the floor for lineup combinations that are still being evaluated during the final exhibition window. Even when rotation plans look firm on paper, the final two preseason games can influence which unit looks most reliable late in games.

Health and availability remain the other central concern. Yahoo Sports framed player availability as the main priority during the final week of preseason, a practical reminder that preseason is not only a basketball education but also a management exercise. Teams often limit minutes, monitor contact, and adjust workloads in response to the physical state of players, especially as the regular season approaches.

The Lakers’ challenge now is balancing improvement with risk control. With only two preseason contests left, they cannot spend too many possessions experimenting with low-probability options, but they also need to see enough live reps to confirm that fixes are translating onto the floor.

For fans, the next two games will likely be treated less like standalone results and more like evidence. Watch whether the Lakers reduce turnovers, maintain coherent offense under pressure, and keep core players within a normal preseason workload as they prepare to open the season in a home matchup against the Warriors.