Kings vs. Lakers: The preseason is (almost) over!

The Kings will wrap up their preseason slate on Thursday with a game against the L.A. Lakers in San Diego. The tip is at 7 p.m. There is no local or national TV coverage, but Time Warner in L.A. will have it if you can procure a very tall antenna.

Keith Smart has backed off of his assertion that Thursday's starting lineup will be the regular season opener's starting lineup. I like to think that the coach is just building up the suspense for next Wednesday. (It's working.) What I think is a major positive from the Kings' training camp and preseason is that everyone is currently healthy (John Salmons' absence notwithstanding). Smart's not at a structural disadvantage in setting up his rotation. Yes, I am knocking furiously on wood.

The Lakers and Mike Brown aren't so lucky in this solitary regard: Kobe Bryant has an injury that will keep him out on Thursday and could also affect his status for the Lakers' regular season opener. I just laughed at the thought of Kobe letting Jodie Meeks start for him in the first game of the Dwight-Nash era. So scratch that.

Game thread will be in the cover at 7.