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Lakers forward Brandon Ingram attempts a shot while being defended by Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, left, as Kings forward Marvin Bagley III watches during the first half of Thursday’s preseason game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, drives the ball between Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III, left, and guard Frank Mason III during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, goes up for a shot while Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere, second from left, and forward Marvin Bagley III defend during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart, front, and Sacramento Kings forward Harry Giles reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III, right, drives the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Johnathan Williams during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Lakers forward Brandon Ingram, left, drives past Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox during the first half of Thursday’s preseason game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram, center, goes up for a dunk past Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, left, as center Willie Cauley-Stein watches during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks with guard Josh Hart during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, left, looks to pass the ball while under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart, right, and center JaVale McGee during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, reacts after a foul is called on the Lakers as guard Josh Hart looks on during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Lakers forward LeBron James, left, drives past Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield on his way to the basket during the first half of Thursday’s preseason game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, celebrates with center JaVale McGee, left, and guard Lance Stephenson during the second half of the team’s NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. The Lakers won 128-123. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, left, moves the ball while defended by Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, celebrates with Lance Stephenson after a dunk by Johnathan Williams during the second half of the team’s NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III, right, attempts to drive the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. The Lakers won 128-123. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, center, reacts on the bench after a dunk by Johnathan Williams next to Lance Stephenson, left, and Jeffrey Carroll during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. The Lakers won 128-123. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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LOS ANGELES — It was a tag-team act. LeBron James got the Lakers started. Brandon Ingram made sure they finished.
Breaking out of a sluggish start without their top two point guards, the Lakers finally managed their first preseason victory, 128-123 over the Sacramento Kings, behind 18 points from James in another one-half cameo followed by 31 points from Ingram, who guided the team down the stretch.
As Ingram made a key steal and two free throws in the final minute, James could be seen clapping and smiling from the bench.
It wasn’t a game the Lakers felt wholly good about – their third straight preseason effort with iffy defense and too many fouls. But between James’ second-quarter surge and Ingram’s strong offensive effort, they were finally able to get over a hump and see some potential from a budding young player.
“I think he was great all game, not just in the second half,” James said of Ingram. “His pace, his ability to play the point and play the wing, he’s a very special talent and we’re definitely happy to have him on our side.”
With Lonzo Ball missing another game and Rajon Rondo held out for rest, the bar was low. Ingram started at point guard, and Kyle Kuzma slid into the power forward spot. Walton said pregame that he wanted to see better defensive effort, fewer turnovers and fewer fouls.
What he saw wasn’t all that good: The team had seven turnovers in the first quarter while giving up 39 points. Without Rondo directing things as he had in the first two games, the slip-ups added up for the Lakers.
“We were not good at any of those tonight,” a frustrated Walton said at the postgame podium. “We have to get a lot better in this next week or however long we got left until the start of the season.”
Then, James took over, knowing he would be sitting out the second half. He made five straight Lakers baskets to end the first half, finishing the thrust with a layup over Skal Labissiere that tied the score and drew a foul.
James thumped his chest before he stepped to the line and made the shots, giving him 18 points in just 16 minutes.
“Tonight I felt really, really good,” he said. “You know, you see the ball go through the rim when you get to the free-throw line, and it makes you even more and more comfortable offensively.”
As James sat in the second half, the slack was picked up by Ingram, with some help from his teammates. Kuzma, making his first preseason start at power forward tipped in an Ingram missed free-throw attempt with nine seconds remaining that all but clinched the result.
Walton held off on being too kind to Ingram: While the third-year forward had some key defensive plays late, his coach wants to see that effort throughout entire games.
Ingram agreed with Walton on that point. Still, he said, it felt good to get a compliment from James, who has a locker right next to him.
“It makes you want to keep going,” he said. “I don’t think I want to stop here and like I said, my expectations are way higher than anyone’s expectations in this room or anybody, so for him to say that is an extreme compliment.”
Luke Walton discusses Brandon Ingram’s defensive performance, and Josh Hart’s overall play this preseason. pic.twitter.com/o8aa2CuL1D
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 5, 2018
@B_Ingram13 talks about his expectations for himself, and playing alongside LeBron pic.twitter.com/2BM9MuTLOJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 5, 2018
@KingJames: “I’ve been feeling really good throughout training camp and throughout these preseason games, but tonight I felt really, really good.” pic.twitter.com/Jfp9qYVeLH
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 5, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS: Behind Brandon Ingram’s 31 points, five Lakers reached double-digit scoring in tonight’s 128-123 preseason win over the Kings. pic.twitter.com/mbicUJnMCR
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 5, 2018
Lil bro gone be a problem!! #YoungDripKing
@B_Ingram13 https://t.co/vat8SCJAgc
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 5, 2018