The Lakers finally secured their first preseason win, and it also marked Coach JJ Rieck’s first win as head coach. While it doesn’t officially count, it’s still a positive for the team as they gear up for the regular season. The win is beneficial not just for the main players building chemistry, but also for the young guys who are trying to make their mark, like Quincy Olivari.

Though the Lakers didn’t lead throughout the game, they managed to win the fourth quarter, largely thanks to Olivari, who had 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists—all in the final quarter. His impressive performance included difficult three-pointers, and he’s pushing for a roster spot, despite currently being on an Exhibit 10 contract, which isn’t a guaranteed spot. He could potentially earn a two-way contract, but with limited preseason games left, his time to prove himself is running short.

Even though Olivari made a significant impact, it’s unlikely this one game will secure him a rotation spot, given that he’s not on the 15-man roster. For him to make it, he’d have to replace players like Christian Koloko, Colin Castleton, or Alex Fudge, which seems unlikely. However, his performance was notable, making him more familiar to Lakers fans.

The team as a whole showed areas of concern, especially in transition defense. Despite grabbing an impressive 17 offensive rebounds, their inability to get back on defense allowed Milwaukee to score on fast breaks and exploit mismatches. The Lakers struggled to set up defensively, which needs improvement before the regular season.

On the positive side, their three-point shooting and floor spacing were encouraging. They shot 31.8% from beyond the arc, with key contributions from LeBron James, Max Christie, and Rui Hachimura. Anthony Davis, while 0-for-4 from three, still took shots, and his willingness to shoot will be crucial if the Lakers plan to use a two-big lineup in the future.

Off the bench, Gabe Vincent continued his strong shooting, going 2-for-4 from three. So far in the preseason, Vincent has shot 50% from deep, which is an improvement from his injury-shortened regular season last year. His confident shooting and overall floor spacing were key takeaways for the team.

As for Olivari, his efforts in the fourth quarter were praised by both his teammates and Coach Rieck. Despite only being on an Exhibit 10 contract, his energy, defense, and impact didn’t go unnoticed. With limited time left in the preseason, Olivari is fighting for every opportunity to make the roster.

This win, though just a preseason game, was a big moment for Olivari and the young players trying to make a name for themselves. As the Lakers prepare for the regular season, performances like this will be crucial for those on the fringe of the roster.