In Luke Walton's debut on the Los Angeles Lakers' sidelines, the purple and gold trailed by 13 points at halftime but eventually beat the Sacramento Kings 103-84 to launch the 2016-17 preseason.
After preaching and practicing defense for the duration of training camp on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Walton witnessed his team turn up the intensity on that end of the court to complete the comeback on Tuesday night in Anaheim.
In particular, backup center Tarik Black stood out for his impressive, energetic performance on both ends of the court. The 24-year-old Memphis native finished tied with shooting guard Lou Williams as the leading scorer in the game with 15 points, only Black made all five of his field goal attempts.
"He obviously had a really good game for us tonight," Walton said about Black after the contest. "He's been solid through training camp. He's coachable. He asks for advice and he goes out and does what you tell him to do, and he's been diligent and get in there and working."
Walton added, "We'll keep trying different lineups, but he definitely helped his case tonight in the way he played."
While Black's offensive play raised eyebrows, the night also featured the debut of the no. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Brandon Ingram. Ingram found open looks at the basket but failed to convert. However, the rookie did not appear to be forcing his shot, as the 19-year-old only managed five attempts in 27 minutes, though none of those five shots touched the bottom of the net.
On the night, Ingram finished with two points, as he hit two of his four free throws.
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"Obviously, he has to be nervous: he's playing for the Lakers; he's 19 years old; no. 2 draft pick," Walton spoke about the rookie's performance on Tuesday night. "But he played well. That's the thing. The nerves will make you miss a shot here and there or a free throw, but nerves don't really do anything on defense, and I thought he had some mental lapses on defense that we'll be sure to point out to him on the film session, but he also had some impressive plays and deflections and blocks."
Ingram recorded two blocks and one steal on the night, and his length played a role in the Lakers' rally. The forward's time on the court resulted in LA gaining 20 points on the Kings, as the former Duke Blue Devil played the most minutes of any player on either team.
Along with Ingram, the game also marked the sideline debut for Walton.
"It was awesome," Walton struggled to describe the feeling of sitting in the Lakers' first chair for the first time. "Once the game starts, you don't ever think about it again. But walking out there, next to 'B-Shaw' was a pretty special feeling tonight."
Next, Walton will grace the sidelines of Staples Center on Friday night, as the Denver Nuggets come to town.
Notes: Jordan Clarkson played with the second unit and scored 12 points in 20 minutes, while displaying improved defensive intensity. Along with Clarkson, the Lakers' strong second unit comprised of Black, Larry Nance Jr., Ingram and Jose Calderon in the second half. The same unit also put together a positive run in the first half, only Marcelo Huertas played in place of Calderon. Debutante Timofey Mozgov started at center and played solid defense matching up against DeMarcus Cousins. Mozgov grabbed nine rebounds, scored six points and passed off a couple assists in 22 minutes. Luol Deng also made his Lakers' debut, and the 12-year veteran started the game, but he only played 16 minutes on the night. Only Metta World Peace, Nick Young and Zach Auguste failed to see the floor for the Lakers on the night. Former UCLA Bruin Aaron Afflalo led the Kings with 14 points on the night.
