Lakers announce starting lineup for first game in post-LeBron era

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced their starting lineup for Wednesday night’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams will round out the starting five for the Lakers alongside the three obvious starters in Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. They may be in for extended minutes with JJ Redick’s decision to go with a short rotation due to the injuries that leave them without Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero or Cam Carr to begin the season.

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Thybulle and Williams are both strong defenders who can knock down threes, making them ideal fits next to Dončić and Reaves on both ends of the floor. Williams’ wiry 6-foot-9 frame makes him versatile on defense, a plus for Reddick’s new scheme that centers on one-on-one matchups with Kessler anchored near the paint.

Here is the full starting lineup for the Lakers against the Warriors, and who might get minutes in the rotation:

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

(Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

(Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

(Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

(David Berding, Getty Images)

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