Lakers at Warriors: What to watch in the Bay

The Lakers head to the Bay Area with their leading scorer returning and an opportunity to build on their strongest defensive performance of the young season.

After beating the Clippers 103-87 without Luka Dončić and Ziaire Williams, the Lakers enter their sixth game at 4-1. Golden State is coming off a 119-114 victory over Minnesota behind Stephen Curry’s 44 points. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 127-105 on opening night.

Dončić’s return gives Los Angeles another offensive boost, but rebounding remains a concern against a Warriors team that controlled the boards in its last outing. The Lakers also have a rotation decision after coach JJ Redick turned to Jarred Vanderbilt against the Clippers.

Here are three things to watch.

Dončić returns after missing the Clippers game with back tightness, bringing an NBA-leading scoring average of 36 points per game back into the lineup.

The Lakers have been among the league’s most efficient offensive teams through five games. They rank second in scoring at 123.2 points per game, first in field-goal percentage at 53% and second in offensive rating at 122.5. They also rank third in 3-point percentage at 39.2%.

Dončić had 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the season-opening victory over Golden State. His return gives the Lakers their primary offensive creator as they look for a second win against the Warriors.

Los Angeles will also look to carry over its defensive activity from Wednesday, when it recorded 15 steals and five blocks against the Clippers. The Lakers rank fourth in steals at 10.8 per game and lead the NBA with 24.4 points per game off turnovers, giving them another way to generate offense alongside Dončić’s half-court creation.

The Lakers’ offensive production has helped them win four of their first five games, but their rebounding numbers sit at the other end of the league.

L.A. ranks last in rebounds at 38 per game.

Golden State outrebounded Minnesota 53-42 in its last game, collecting 13 offensive rebounds to the Timberwolves’ seven.

Those contributions throughout Golden State’s lineup make rebounding a collective responsibility for the Lakers.

The Lakers’ league-best shooting percentage affects how many offensive rebounding opportunities are available, so their total alone does not tell the full story. Finishing defensive possessions, however, remains an important measure of progress.

L.A. ranks 17th in defensive rating at 112.3 despite its ability to force turnovers. Limiting second chances would help the Lakers turn more initial stops into completed possessions.

Redick changed his frontcourt rotation against the Clippers, using Vanderbilt while keeping Kevon Looney on the bench.

Vanderbilt played center in smaller lineups and also appeared at power forward alongside Sandro Mamukelashvili. Whether Redick returns to those combinations is worth watching against Golden State’s motion offense.

Vanderbilt gives the Lakers another option to defend on the perimeter and pursue rebounds. Playing him at center also changes how L.A. can handle switches, though those groups still must finish possessions on the boards.

Golden State also scored 54 points in the paint against Minnesota, adding another consideration as Redick determines how to divide the frontcourt minutes behind Kessler.

Williams is questionable, while Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr remain out. Williams’ availability could influence how often Redick turns to Vanderbilt and which combinations he uses.

After the defensive effort against the Clippers, the Lakers will look to carry that activity into a matchup with a Warriors team coming off a win.