Two fan favorite teams from the Western Conference will play against one another today, Saturday, as the Los Angeles Lakers host the defending National Basketball Association (NBA) champions Golden State Warriors at the Valley View Casino Center. 

The Lakers are not having much success in the preseason as they are 1–4, with their only win coming from a 12–83 drubbing of Israeli team Maccabi Haifa in their third preseason game.

In their most recent preseason outing which was a 107-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings last Tuesday, franchise star Kobe Bryant left the game with a leg contusion and he is reportedly not playing against Golden State. 

Reports said the injury was not significant and the Lakers perhaps wanted to rest Bryant to prevent aggravating the injury and keep him healthy. 

The 37-year-old star finished the game against the Kings with 10 points and one rebound in 18 minutes of action. 

In their loss to Sacramento, point guard Jordan Clarkson shone for Los Angeles with 17 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals. 

Following the budding player was reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams who had 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Forward Nick Young and rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell also added 12 and 11 points, respectively. 

Meanwhile, the Warriors ended a two-game slide in their last preseason outing beating a Houston Rockets squad that had a depleted lineup, 123–101. 

The reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Stephen Curry led the charge for Golden State, tallying 19 points, one rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Curry was helped on offense by his fellow Splash Brother guard Klay Thompson, who had 16 points, one rebound, and three assists.  

Unfortunately, Warriors center Andrew Bogut suffered a broken nose in the win and will likely miss time as he will have surgery this weekend. 

The game between the Lakers and Warriors will take place today, Oct. 17, at 10 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.