The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers played a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, drawing only a few thousand spectators despite the teams’ national profiles. The upper bowl was covered by curtains and devoid of fans, with sections of the lower bowl also empty. The Warriors won the game 101-89.
Stephen Curry contributed 11 points in 23 minutes, drawing cheers whenever he shot the ball. Luka Doncic did not play for the Lakers, having completed a pregame workout to traditional Slovenian music. Draymond Green rested for Golden State, and Jaden Hardy scored 10 points with two rebounds and two assists for Los Angeles in 15 minutes.
Gary Payton II, a Warriors guard and former Spring Valley standout, said during shootaround: “There’s always something going on Vegas. Another year, they’re adding something to the city, which is good. They’ve got every sport here but NBA basketball. Once they get the men’s here, I think it’ll complete it pretty much” with the MLB’s Athletics set also to arrive. He added: “(Vegas has) built a great fan base over the years. Just to show how much the city has grown. I think a lot of it has to do with the Aces and the Knights. For them to just get another atmosphere and a feel, it’s pretty good.
Steve Kerr noted during his pregame news conference: “We fill the building up in (NBA) Summer League. And fill up the building for the Raiders. The Knights did really well right away and won a Stanley Cup and filled up their building. So, it seems like there’s enough fan support (for an NBA team).” The article notes that while the NBA preseason is a novelty in Las Vegas, expansion bids are reportedly topping $12 billion, and locals may be waiting for a permanent team rather than attending preseason games.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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