Kings, Lakers to meet at T&M Saturday

Victoria Sun

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

WHAT: Preseason NBA exhibition game

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center

TICKETS: About 800 tickets for $12, $19 and $27 are still available at the Thomas & Mack box office.

Even defending champions must play in meaningless exhibition games.

Before the Los Angeles Lakers begin their quest to become only the fifth team in history to win three consecutive NBA titles, they will play their fifth preseason game of the year at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Sacramento Kings.

Already, it seems basketball-hungry fans are eagerly awaiting the matchup between the Western Conference rivals.

"Tickets are selling very, very well," Thomas & Mack Center director Darren Libonati said. "We are very pleased with the turnout so far.

"The Lakers have always been a great team for us in Las Vegas. And the Lakers' fans from L.A. love to come see them here as well. The Lakers have a lot of fans here."

The last time these teams met was last May in the Western Conference semifinals, when the Lakers swept the Kings 4-0.

Both teams have significant injuries.

The Kings will be without All-Star forward Chris Webber. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Webber sprained his left ankle in an exhibition game against Dallas and will be out for at least a month.

For the Lakers, All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal, who had toe surgery Aug. 29 and played limited minutes against Golden State, will probably play against the Kings. Point guard Derek Fisher had foot surgery and is not scheduled to be back until November.

Laker fans will still get to see Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox and Robert Horry, and get a look at newly acquired point guard Lindsey Hunter, as well as new additions Mitch Richmond and Samaki Walker.

Kings fans can look forward to seeing point guard Mike Bibby, who was traded to the Kings from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jason Williams, Predrag Stojakovic, Vlade Divac and Doug Christie (among others).

The Lakers were 56-26 last season and went on to set the record for the best record in the playoffs (15-1). They open the regular season Oct. 30 at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Kings, who were 55-27, host Seattle.

"Being that there is not an NBA team here, we're ecstatic to have the Lakers here year in and year out," Libonati said. "I think the fans get to appreciate the up close and personal play of the team.

"There's really not a bad seat in our venue."

Next year, the Lakers will play the Phoenix Suns at the Thomas & Mack Center Oct. 19.

Libonati said the game will be the final one of the Lakers' three-year agreement with the Thomas & Mack, but he expects the parties will reach another three-year deal after next year's game.