ALSO SEE …
• LeBron James and Lonzo Ball play together for the first time as the Lakers beat the Warriors in a preseason game.
LeBron James watched Lonzo Ball play in Las Vegas during the 2017 NBA Summer League, taking in a Los Angeles Lakers’ game from a baseline seat as a spectator.
He had a better view Wednesday.
James and Ball were oncourt teammates for the first time when the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 123113, back in Las Vegas. Ball didn’t start the preseason contest, but replaced Rajon Rondo just 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the game.
“It’s just fun to have our full group,” James said.
James and Ball didn’t play very much. Ball has been recovering from a knee issue, and it was his first appearance this preseason.
James didn’t want to burden his new point guard with a lot of expectations, so he was keeping his approach very simple.
“He plays basketball,” James said of Ball before the game. “He knows how to play basketball.”
It was James’ first game against the Warriors since last season’s NBA Finals — when his second stint as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers ended with Golden State sweeping its way to a second consecutive championship. But he downplayed the exhibition being any extension of his rivalry with the Warriors, or the rivalry be- tween the California clubs. “Preseason game,” James said.