LOS ANGELES — Using Friday’s preseason finale as a “dress rehearsal” for next week’s regular-season opener, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick put Gabe Vincent in the starting lineup to fill in for the injured LeBron James.

Vincent capped a strong individual training camp with 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting (4-for-5 from 3), but the Lakers lost 117-116 to the Sacramento Kings to finish the preseason 1-5.

The regular season starts Tuesday night when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors. Though the Vincent decision was made, there is plenty more for the Lakers to figure out in the next few days.

“We have two more practices, so we need to clean up some things,” said Luka Doncic, who scored a game-high 31 points to go with nine assists in 33 minutes.

Vincent said the coaching staff informed him about the lineup change Friday morning. If the staff was uncertain about the choice, Vincent helped his cause in the Lakers’ preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday when he scored 18 points in the first four minutes, going 5-for-5 from 3.

“I think I just bring what I’ve been doing since I’ve been here,” Vincent said when asked about his fit with the starters. “Just defending, try to defend at a high level. Playmake when I have opportunities, space the floor while Luka and [Austin Reaves] are creating themselves.”

James is not expected to return to the lineup until mid-November, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania, as he continues to recover from sciatica affecting the right side of his body.

Though Vincent will join Doncic, Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura on the court to tip off the 2025-26 season, Redick made it clear that the current starters are not permanent.

“I don’t know anything about who I’m going to be starting the rest of the season because, again, there’s injuries and there’s things that happen throughout a year,” Redick said. “I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start Game 1. After that, I don’t know. But I do think in that lineup there’s lot of shooting around Luka and DA, and Gabe is another ball handler, another tough defender.

“I think he fits in well, but you have to take a look at every matchup we play against and have to make a decision there.”

Redick has downplayed the magnitude of his starting lineup decision repeatedly during training camp, pointing out that he used 25 starting lineups last season.

He and his team sounded far more concerned about their defense after allowing 59 second-half points to a Kings team that shot 54.7% overall and 44.8% from 3.

“I think in practice we were more physical,” Doncic said. “We need to work on our physicality.”

The Lakers were without one of their more physical defenders in center Jaxson Hayes for the second half Friday. He left the game because of a right wrist contusion after finishing a lob dunk in the first quarter. Redick said X-rays on Hayes’ wrist were negative, and the Lakers will have a further update on Hayes when they practice Sunday.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, who had 14 points and four steals off the bench against Sacramento, vowed to help with the physicality in the meantime.

“Just follow my lead,” Smart said. “That’s really it. I’m going to try to set the tone each and every night. And just kind of piggyback off me.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the upcoming tri-nation T20 series will proceed as planned despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal.

According to a PCB spokesperson, discussions are underway to include a replacement team in the tournament, and a final decision regarding the third participant will be announced soon.

The tri-nation T20 series, featuring Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 17 to 29.

The PCB reiterated its commitment to ensuring the successful hosting of the event, saying all logistical and operational preparations are continuing as per schedule.

Earlier, Afghanistan pulled out of the tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month.

Liverpool face strong competition from Bayern Munich for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, while Internazionale defender Federico Dimarco has admirers at Manchester United. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Marc Guéhi in January, The i Paper reports. The Crystal Palace defender’s contract is set to expire next summer, meaning the reigning FA Cup holders are keen to cash in before he can depart on a free transfer. While Liverpool almost signed Guéhi back in August, a host of clubs around Europe could now rival them for his signature. Palace won’t let the England international leave on the cheap in January, despite the likes of Bayern being keen to land him “at the first opportunity.”

– Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is a huge fan of Federico Dimarco and would like to bring him to the Premier League, according to Tuttosport. The Inter Milan full-back, whose contract expires in 2027, has been in exceptional form so far this season, with two goals and three assists from his first six Serie A matches. United could face an uphill battle to secure his signature, however, as the dynamic left-back would like to end his career at Inter, amid talk of a bumper contract extension.

– Everton will be able to sign winger Jack Grealish for under £50 million next summer, according to the Daily Mail. Despite the winger’s strong start to life on Merseyside, it is believed that his transfer value will depreciate over the course of the season — which could help Everton sign him permanently. Grealish, 30, has grabbed four assists in seven matches this season, rediscovering his best form, and presenting England manager Thomas Tuchel with a selection headache.

– Bayern Munich are set to open talks with midfielder Leon Goretzka over a new contract. The Germany international, 30, is set to become a free agent int he summer if he does not sign a new deal at the Allianz Arena. Goretzka, who is in his eighth season at Bayern since joining them from Schalke 04, has started five Bundesliga matches for the defending champions so far this season. (Christian Falk)

– Eintracht Frankfurt are “keeping a close eye” on Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika, according to Florian Plettenberg. The 24-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement for Hugo Larsson, whose future at the Bundesliga club is currently uncertain. Eintracht have a long-standing interest in Onyedika, who has been the subject of several enquiries from clubs around Europe. According to Plettenberg, a transfer next summer appears “likely”.

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OTHER RUMORS

– Liverpool view Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck as a potential long-term replacement for Virgil Van Dijk. However, the Reds face competition for his signature from the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. (The i Paper)

– Juventus are monitoring the situation of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. (Football Insider)

– Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is “at the very top” of Manchester United’s midfielder shortlist. (TEAMtalk)

– Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are all interested in signing Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız. (Football Insider)

– Several clubs are monitoring Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup. The Denmark international has recently signed with a new agency, ahead of a potential transfer in 2026. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Sunderland will not revive their interest in Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí in January, contrary to reports in Italy. (Sky Sports News)

– Olympiacos are planning on extending centre-back Lorenzo Pirola‘s current deal. (Nicolo Schira)

– RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are battling to sign Inter Milan defender Yann Aurel Bisseck, who has a €40 million price tag. (Ekrem Konur)

– Graham Potter is getting closer to becoming the new head coach of the Sweden national team. The former West Ham United boss looks set to join on an initial short-term deal, tasked with taking the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Fabrizio Romano)