The Golden State Warriors just got a glaring look at their perimeter defense issues on the eve of the season, with Austin Reaves controlling the first half for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Warriors came back in the second-half to record a 111-89 victory, but that shouldn't paper over the defensive issues after Reaves exploded for 28 points, four rebounds and seven assists in just 25 minutes.
Austin Reaves just exposed Warriors' perimeter defense issues
Reaves had 23 points and six assists on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 from 3-point range in the first half alone, leading the Lakers to a 63-50 lead despite the absence of franchise superstar Luka Doncic.
Coming off signing a four-year, $180 million contract extension with the Lakers in the offseason, Reaves was hot from beyond the arc during the first 24 minutes. It was the ease in which he blew by defenders and got to the rim that would be most concerning to the Golden State coaching staff though, with little in the way of resistance on the perimeter and playing without Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford to help clean things up at the basket.
It's not overly surprising considering the players at Steve Kerr's disposal. No member of the starting lineup are particularly noted for their perimeter defense, while veteran reserve Gary Payton II has clearly taken a step back on that end of the floor.
The Warrior defense picked up extraordinarily in the second half, limiting the Lakers to just 26 points which included countless turnovers. That was also a factor of Reaves and other key Lakers players being rested over the final 24 minutes, with Golden State winning the fourth 29-13 in a dominant final period.
Warrior offense also struggles in first half against Lakers
Just as concerning as the inability to stop Reaves was their own ability to put the ball in the basket, with the Warriors struggling to find a scoring option as Stephen Curry was watched incredibly closesly by noted wing defender Matisse Thybulle.
Yaxel Lendeborg was again a standout with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, continuing to show his impact driving to the rim as the 11th overall pick got to the free-throw line on nine occassions.
Brandin Podziemski picked it up in the second half to also finish with a team-high 17 points in 26 minutes, while Curry (11 points on 3-of-9 shooting) and Gui Santos (10 points) were the only other two players to reach double figures.
The final score would tell you the Warriors came away with a 12-point victory, but the first half struggles on both ends of the floor reveals that there's plenty to work on before the two teams meet for their season opener next week.
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